Phalaenopsis bellina
Phalaenopsis bellina is an orchid endemic to Borneo. It is one of 75 species of Phalaenopsis and one of the most commonly cultivated species in the genus. Distribution. "Phalaenopsis bellina" is found in parts of Borneo, growing in the canopy of trees where they receive abundant sunlight, and experience pronounced wet and dry cycles. Taxonomy. "Phalaenopsis" comes from the Greek word "phalaina", which means "moth", and the Latin word "bella", which means "beautiful". "Phalaenopsis bellina" was originally called "P. violacea" var. Borneo, however it has since been moved into its own species due to differences in habitat and  plant morphology. The varieties include "coerulea", "rubra", "alba", and "murtoniana". The "coerulea" form has bluish-violet pigment as opposed to the typically magenta coloring of the nominate type. The "rubra" form is solid magenta, however it is believed to be a hybrid between "P. bellina" and its sister species "P. violacea". The "alba" form lacks all pigment, and the flowers thus appear white, and sometimes faintly green. The "murtoniana" form has a yellow-orange flower base, overlaid with random reddish blotches. Natural hybrids. It is one of the parent species of the natural hybrid "Phalaenopsis × singuliflora". Description. Flowers. Star  shaped, 5–6 cm in size, deeply saturated fuchsia or violet near the base of sepals and petals. Interior half of the lower sepals typically display more coloration than other sepals and petals. Inflorescence. Inflorescences emerge from the leaf axils arranged alternately on the main stem. Oftentimes during development they puncture the epidermis at the base of the leaves. A single inflorescence typically carries only 2 or 3 flowers at a time, however more has been observed. Flowers may emerge from the tip of the inflorescence from spring through summer, and continue to do so for many years until the stem  dries up. Leaves. "Phalaenopsis bellina" has thick, succulent leaves. They are oval, light to medium green, and sometimes wavy. When mounted, leaves grow so that older, lower leaves are shifted towards the sides while new growth points downwards, in order to expose as much surface area to sunlight. Potted plants do not display this growth habit, so it is often recommended that plants be grown mounted to best expose leaves to light. Roots. "Phalaenopsis bellina" has a fibrous root system, with roots usually emerging near the base of the stem. The root is composed of a spongy outer layer called  the velamen, which is responsible for protecting underlying cells from UV rays and physical damage, as well as absorbing water. New growth emerges from the root tips, and is usually a light green color until the velamen matures and turns older roots grayish-green. Roots are thick and are capable of holding water for extended periods of drought. Dense root hairs emerge from the velamen and root tips to anchor plants to host trees or mounts. Hybridization. "Phalaenopsis bellina" is commonly used in "Phalaenopsis" hybridization, and is the parent of 30 or more primary hybrids as well as hundreds of  complex hybrids. Its desirable traits include its wide petals, fragrance, and deep saturated color. Cultivation. "Phalaenopsis bellina" prefers bright, filtered light, warm temperatures, and good air circulation. It is essential that potting/mounting media approaches dryness between waterings to avoid root rot. Distilled, reverse osmosis, or rain water is recommended if municipal water is hard or has a high TDS count, because salt buildup in the planting media can quickly desiccate and kill roots. Large plants grow quickly and should thus be fertilized regularly during the growing season to promote growth of new leaves, roots, and flowers. When plants have  outgrown their pots or mounts, it is recommended to move them into the new substrate while new roots are growing so that the plant can acclimate to its new conditions. Since "P. bellina" is epiphytic, it prefers to have good air movement around its roots. This means using a loose, airy medium such as fir bark, tree fern fiber, synthetic media, and others.