Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘PHALHOQGAI’

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHALHOQGAI’, particularly characterized by white flowers with greenish-yellow-white lips, concave flower shape, compact plant, 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 ‘PHALHOQGAI’.

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 new, compactPhalaenopsisplant with white flowers and greenish-yellow-white lips, suitable for potted plant production.

The newPhalaenopsisplant ‘PHALHOQGAI’ is a result of cross-pollination made by the inventor in April 2011 in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, of the proprietary female, or seed parent,Phalaenopsishybrid ‘01-3469’ (unpatented) with the proprietary male, or pollen parent,Phalaenopsishybrid ‘21232-01’ (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 June 2014. Asexual reproduction of the newPhalaenopsisplant by meristem tissue culture since 2015 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.

Community Plant Variety Rights for this variety have been applied for in the European Union on Apr. 16, 2019 (Application no. 2019/0996), by Applicant who obtained the subject matter disclosed directly from the inventor. ‘PHALHOQGAI’ has not been made publicly available or sold anywhere in the world prior to the effective filing date of this application with the exception of sales or disclosures made one year or less before the effective filing date of this claimed invention by Applicant who obtained ‘PHALHOQGAI’ directly from the inventor.

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 ‘PHALHOQGAI’ as a new and distinct variety ofPhalaenopsisplant:1) Plant has white flowers with greenish-yellow-white lips;2) Flower shape is concave; and3) Plant is compact.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHALHOQGAI’. 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 July 2020 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 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

‘PHALHOQGAI’ differs from female parent plant ‘01-3469’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALHOQGAI’ has emarginated dorsal sepal apexes and medium curvature of the lateral lobes, whereas ‘01-3469’ has obtuse dorsal sepal apexes and strong curvature of the lateral lobes.

‘PHALHOQGAI’ differs from male parent plant ‘21232-01’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHALHOQGAI’ has calluses with a dotted pattern, whereas ‘21232-01’ has calluses with a striped pattern.

‘PHALHOQGAI’ is most similar to the commercialPhalaenopsisplants named ‘PHALFOWIC’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,245) and ‘PHALFUBNE’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,395). ‘PHALHOQGAI’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFOWIC’ in that ‘PHALHOQGAI’ has white whiskers and medium curvature of the lateral lobes, whereas ‘PHALFOWIC’ has greenish-yellow whiskers and strong curvature of the lateral lobes. Additionally, ‘PHALHOQGAI’ has shorter whiskers and shorter leaves than ‘PHALFOWIC’.

‘PHALHOQGAI’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALFUBNE’ in that ‘PHALHOQGAI’ has whiskers that are white, whereas ‘PHALFUBNE’ has whiskers that are white at the base and yellow toward the tip. Additionally, ‘PHALHOQGAI’ has shorter whiskers, shorter leaves, and shorter internodes than ‘PHALFUBNE’.