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Bloom calendar
Phalaenopsis gigantea
Species (Moth Orchid)
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Species (Moth Orchid)
- Height × spread: 12 to 18 in × 24 to 36 in (30 to 45 cm × 60 to 90 cm); pendent inflorescences 6 to 16 in (15 to 40 cm)
- Bloom window: late summer to fall
- Color & flower form: cream to yellow with red‑brown spots; many small, waxy, starry flowers on pendent branches
- Fragrance: 2 noticeable
- USDA hardiness: not hardy outdoors in most areas; greenhouse only in frost‑free zones 10 to 12; grow indoors elsewhere
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown, wild species, Borneo
- Cut‑flower notes: pendent racemes; typical vase life about 8 to 14 days depending on season and source
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Much larger leaves than typical moth orchids.
- Pendent, highly branched inflorescences with many small spotted flowers.
- Noticeable fragrance instead of little to none.
- Very slow to reach flowering size compared with common hybrids.
Strengths
- Show‑stopping foliage with a unique habit.
- Large flower count per spike when mature.
- Performs in warm, bright indoor conditions with filtered light.
Care in one minute
Give bright, indirect light; often a touch brighter than standard phalaenopsis.
Use a very open bark mix; repot only when needed and after flowering.
Water when the mix is nearly dry; soak and drain; keep water out of leaf axils.
Maintain 70 to 85 °F (21 to 29 °C) with 40 to 60 percent humidity and airflow.
Fertilize lightly during growth; flush salts monthly.
Provide room for large leaves and pendent spikes; stake or hang for display.
Watch‑outs
- Sensitive to overpotting and root disturbance at repotting.
- Requires space for large leaves and hanging spikes.
- Avoid water sitting in the leaf axils to prevent rot.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
Endemic to Borneo; leaves can exceed 24 in long on mature plants and spikes are pendent and branched.
References
- Kew Science POWO – Phalaenopsis gigantea
- Wikipedia – Phalaenopsis gigantea (size and bloom season overview)
- American Orchid Society – Phalaenopsis: The Genus (culture overview)
- ASPCA – Phalaenopsis Orchid (non‑toxic to cats and dogs)
