Phalaenopsis stuartiana in bloom

[Bud]

In these cold, gray days of winter, it is always nice to have orchids in bloom to brighten up the place. Phalaenopsis are one of the most popular orchids, and most are in bloom or beginning to bloom at this time of year ( January and February).
Phalaenopsis stuartiana is endemic to the Philippines and has 2 beautiful distinctive features, in fact: three. Firstly it’s got that lovely marbled or mottled leaves in deep green and pale silver, then it has long elegant flower spikes holding beautiful 3 inch white flowers with a lip held lower than 'normal' and being stained with lemon yellow and orange then speckled with tiny dots in dark red! And this is the plus; it's slightly fragrant!
I have a from seedling plant that’s 2 yrs. old, I never expected it to bloom this early… It gave me only four flowers; but I am not complaining.
This species is found on the northern half of Mindanao Island in the Philippines. Light levels can be brighter than that for most Phalaenopsis. It is also a warm grower; I keep the plant evenly moist, and I slightly reduce the amount of light during the winter. It feeds regularly on AlgoFlash orchid fertilizer alternated with seaweed mix and worm tea mix weekly weakly especially during the growing season, and cut this in half during the winter months. An interesting note I found on the net: is that Phalaenopsis stuartiana has been known to produce plantlets from roots that have attached themselves to benches. When large enough, one can carefully cut these off and pot them up.
This specie makes wonderful specimens. You won't be able to get them as cheaply as was the case in 1881, when a plant with 733 flowers and buds was purchased in the Philippines for 25 cents, but this easy-to-grow specie are readily available in many orchid nurseries, both as seedlings and mature plants.

[bballr4567]

Beautiful. My next order will have one in it!

[Bud]

Thank You, Josh...you wont regret it...its just an adorable plant

[bballr4567]

I just love the foliage as much as the flowers. I mean you stare at the leaves for more than the flowers so might as well make it pretty right!

[greenbean]

Beautiful shots of a great orchid! One of my favorite Phals.

[Bud]

if you only can smell it...its a very faint undiscribable pleasant fragrance....

---------- Post added at 11:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:06 PM ----------

Thank You, Evan !

[camille1585]

How beautiful!! Happy and healthy plant for it to bloom so quickly!
That's one that I've been wanting. I have the hybrid with schilleriana that I really love, so decided to get the parents as well. Got a schillie which should be blooming size in a year, but I can't find a standard stuartiana, they're all the yellow var. nobilis version.

[The Mutant]

Thank you for sharing your amazing stuartiana with us.
I've bought both a stuartiana and a var. nobilis that will be shipped to me as soon as the weather allows. Just as Camille I've got the primary hybrid (which is what led me to discover and fall in love with its parents) between the stuartiana and the schilleriana and just like her I have a schilleriana (but mine is not spiking at the moment). I really want my stuartianas now...

The funny part though is that I didn't know about their beautiful foliage before ordering them since I was too immersed in the wonderful flowers.

[billc]

Very nice Bud. The rock backround in the pics really compliments the mottled leaves. I have what's labeled stuartiana in bud, but it's leaves aren't mottled like most. I'm curious to see if it is or not.

Bill

[tucker85]

Beautiful orchid! I love this species also. Mine is in bloom now and, like yours, it bloomed as a very small plant. I'm looking forward to the day when it gets to be specimen size. Enjoy.