Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALFLOXIM’

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALFLOXIM’, particularly characterized by having light reddish-purple flowers with red-purple lips, 1 to 3 peduncles that are long and sturdy, leaves that are oblong, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Genus and species:Phalaenopsishybrid.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsisplant, botanically known asPhalaenopsishybrid of the Orchidaceae family, commonly referred to as moth orchid, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘PHALFLOXIM’.

The newPhalaenopsisplant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The objective of this breeding program was to create a newPhalaenopsisplant with numerous attractive light reddish-purple flowers with red-purple lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The newPhalaenopsisplant ‘PHALFLOXIM’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in February 2006 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent,Phalaenopsishybrid ‘14261-01’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent,Phalaenopsishybrid ‘22715-05’ (unpatented).

The newPhalaenopsiswas selected by the inventor as a single plant within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, in April 2009. Asexual reproduction of the newPhalaenopsisplant by meristem tissue culture since 2012 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, has demonstrated that the new variety reproduces true to type with all of the characteristics, as herein described, firmly fixed and retained through successive generations.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Europe on Apr. 25, 2017. ‘PHALFLOXIM’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands, and can be used to distinguish ‘PHALFLOXIM’ as a new and distinct variety ofPhalaenopsisplant:1) Light reddish-purple flowers with red-purple lips;2) 1 to 3 peduncles;3) Peduncle is long and sturdy; and4) Shape of the leaf is oblong.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALFLOXIM’. Plants of the newPhalaenopsishave not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in October 2018 on flowering plants which were planted in 12 centimeter (diameter) pots. After in-vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12 centimeter (diameter) pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12 centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

‘PHALFLOXIM’ differs from female parent plant ‘14261-01’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALFLOXIM’ has flowers with an upper surface basic color of light purple (RHS 76A) and a shaded pattern, whereas ‘14261-01’ has flowers with an upper surface basic color of very light purple (RHS 76C) and a shaded and striped pattern. Additionally, ‘PHALFLOXIM’ has columns that are light purple (RHS 76A) at the base with a reddish-purple region (RHS N78B) toward the tip, whereas ‘14261-01’ has columns that are purplish-pink (RHS N78C).

‘PHALFLOXIM’ differs from male parent plant ‘22715-05’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALFLOXIM’ has flowers with an upper surface basic color of light purple (RHS 76A) and a shaded pattern, whereas ‘22715-05’ has flowers with an upper surface basic color of reddish-purple (RHS N78A to N78B) and an edged pattern. Additionally, ‘PHALFLOXIM’ has columns that are light purple (RHS 76A) at the base with a reddish-purple region (RHS N78B) toward the tip, whereas ‘22715-05’ has columns that are reddish-purple (RHS N78A to N78B).

‘PHALFLOXIM’ is most similar to the commercialPhalaenopsisplants named ‘PHALCIMEI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,200) and ‘PHALDESBIM’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,671). ‘PHALFLOXIM’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALCIMEI’ in that ‘PHALFLOXIM’ has obtuse unequal leaf apexes, whereas ‘PHALCIMEI’ has unequal mucronate leaf apexes. Additionally, ‘PHALFLOXIM’ has smaller flowers, shorter whiskers and shorter dorsal sepals than ‘PHALCIMEI’.

‘PHALFLOXIM’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDESBIM’ in that ‘PHALFLOXIM’ has petals with an open/free arrangement, whereas ‘PHALDESBIM’ has petals that are almost touching. Additionally, ‘PHALFLOXIM’ has larger flowers, longer leaves and longer dorsal sepals than ‘PHALDESBIM’.