Table Of ContentPHALAENOPSIS
A COMPLETE GUIDE
DAVID LAFARGE
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GENERAL SECTION
Title: Phalaenopsis – A Complete Guide
Author: David Lafarge
Adaptation: Marlene Young
Copyright David Lafarge, 2015
« All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under the copyright
above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or
introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by
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THE
AUTHOR
David LAFARGE is an orchid enthusiast since he’s 14 years old.
Year after year, he developped a huge appetite for orchid discove-
ries and cultivation.
He graduated in Plant Biology, Plant Physiology and Plant Patholo-
gy in University of Bordeaux, France. He’s also a certified French
Orchid Judge and he is responsible for the South West training
center, Bordeaux.
He is the Editor in Chief for the French Orchid Society journal, L’Or-
chidophile and a member of the Society’s Executive Board.
He’s the author of many articles dealing with orchids, particularly
Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum and Phalaenopsis.
Follow him on Facebook on L’Orchidophile-SFO Facebook Page.
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DEDICATION
«There are two kind of passions : the ones we have and the ones that have us. Sometimes, we can
win over the earlier.»
Alfonse KARR
To Martine, you left us too early. Without you my orchid addiction may never have blossomed.
To all the people that have helped, inspired and supported me during this passionate endeavor.
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AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Heartfelt thanks to Martin GÜNTHER for his generous contribution of photos. A warm thank you also
goes to Jorg FREHSONKE, Kay ERDMANN and Lucke Orchideen for the use of their photos. To Al-
bert FALCINELLI and Michel ANCEL (Alfa Orchidees), sincere thanks for welcoming me so many ti-
mes to your home and greenhouse, for sharing your passion and the countless conversations that
made so many contributions to this book.
My thanks to Michèle and Fabien, for the unconditional support they give to me in my different pro-
jects.
Marlene, a very special and sincere thank you for the tremendous work you’ve done with adaptation
of the manuscript to english language. This version wouldn’t be the same without you!
Bordeaux, September 2014
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Orchid. The word itself evokes feelings of the tropics, Victorian
INTRODUCTION
greenhouses, rarity, inaccessibility and sensual delight. However,
no matter where you live, you are very likely to be surrounded by
orchids. They can be indigenous, like Spiranthes, Ophrys or Or-
chis, growing in the heart of cities or along highways. Even if
none of these fabulous plants grow near your home, there is, wi-
thout a doubt, an orchid on your table, at your hair salon or in the
corner store.
Of the 20 000 to 30 000 known orchid species, a few have be-
come historic favorites. Slipper orchids, mainly paphiopedilums,
are among the best loved since the mid-18th century. Even now,
growers are likely to spend mindless amounts of money (thou-
sands of dollars) for outstanding specimens. Another slipper or-
chid, this time from New World, triggered a new orchid fever epi-
demic when discovered in 2002: Phragmipedium kovachii. How
this brilliant, vivid pink to purple giant flower remained unseen for
so many years sounds like a mystery. Surrounded by similar
plants, it has been protected from the greed and stupidity of
some collectors for years. However, shortly after its discovery,
plants have been heavily collected and are now highly threate-
ned in the wild.
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In the 19th century, the genus Cattleya, with its place, some species are clearly unknown to or-
large, romantic pink flowers, was among top favo- chid growers.
rites. All refined gents and elegant ladies wore
All the taxa that compose the genus will be des-
these flowers, Marcel PROUST raised them to
cribed here, with an assumed goal: arouse a de-
posterity with his writings. No matter if the cat-
sire among orchid growers. Some species will be
tleyas have been greatly reshaped by botanists,
only briefly described, other will be extensively
renamed and reclassified after molecular studies
referred to, as they played or are playing a consi-
and confusing hobbyists, they remain a favorite.
derable role in horticulture. Taxa, after the most
Till the 1980s, the genus Cymbidium was a recent classification proposed by botanists
mainstay of the cut-flower industry and a large (SCHUITEMAN & CRIBB, 2012), will sometimes
number of hybrids appeared. It was a time when be discussed along with other classification op-
a prom night or a floral display without cymbi- tions.
dium was beyond imagination. The British bree-
If species always have an interest, hybrids are
ders were specialists developing countless hy-
also important and, in such a cultivated genus,
brids of varying forms and colors. No matter how
you can imagine that they are many! At the mo-
popular they were, fashions change and large-
ment of writing, dozens of thousands phalaenop-
growing cymbidiums became “kitsch” and outmo-
sis hybrids have already been registered (and
ded until growers rediscovered compact Chine-
the same number, at least, remain unregistered!).
se and Japanese species like Cymb. goeringii or
A history of breeding, recent breeders’ discove-
Cymb. kanran in the late 1990s and 2000s.
ries and judging criteria around the world will the-
Today, phalaenopsis are at the top of the world’s refore be presented. Beyond phalaenopsis hy-
potted-plant market, surpassing poinsettias, pe- brids themselves, it is possible to cross different
largoniums and hydrangeas. You can find them genera, hence opening new doors for breeding.
in every single plant shop or florist and hotels These intergeneric plants will also be discussed.
around the world seem to have a phalaenopsis
Before we begin, I’d like to say a few words
on every available tabletop. Within a few years,
about the Phalaenopsis concept that will be follo-
the phalaenopsis market became extremely im-
wed in this book. The late Eric A. CHRISTENSON
portant and production surged. This market is
revised the genus Phalaenopsis and allied gene-
now well over $ 2 billion US! Taiwan generates
ra Doritis and Kingidium in 2001 (an amazing, mi-
the vast majority of this production, under gigan-
lestone work) and he decided to merge those ge-
tic greenhouses or shade houses with the most
nera. A new revision, in 2012, led to merging of
sophisticated horticultural technics, for lighting,
Nothodoritis with other genera soon to be mer-
fertilizing and growing media.
ged into this new large group. I follow this vision
So, why a new book? I already hear you thinking of a large generic concept of Phalaenopsis for
its nonsense and even your grandmother or your this book, even if some scientists do prefer to
janitor has one and flowers it regularly. I might be keep separated genera (if you want to have an
a little provocative, but besides being common- argument, just contact them, it might be quite
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epic, but with no doubt you will learn fascinating
things!).
This genus presents no difficulty in cultivation,
but some species do have specific needs. A cul-
ture chapter will therefore deal with general and
specific aspects of cultivation. Another chapter
on Pests and Diseases addresses the important
and accurate diagnostics of the disease along
with an awareness of environmental issues with
using pesticides (let’s be eco-friendly and res-
ponsible for our health).
It’s time to enter the world of phalaenopsis, enjoy
your reading and… growing !
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Overall, Phalaenopsis species form a very consistent group ex-
HABIT
cept for some atypical species highly adapted to extreme ecolo-
gical conditions.
Plants are monopodial with a very short stem, usually hidden by
the leaves, characterizes all taxa. The internodes (the space
between two leaves) are usually very short for healthy plants
(they can be longer under extremely humid conditions, hormonal
disorders and other abnormal conditions).
Plants usually grow horizontally on tree trunks and vertical bran-
ches. Hence, in the wild, leaves are usually pendent, evacuating
water from rainfalls from the hearts of plants, reducing fungal or
bacterial rots. The only exceptions to this rule are the former Dori-
tis semi-terrestrial species that have an erect stem bearing lea-
ves that form gutters through the plant base (an adaptation to
growing in leaves litter on the ground).
Roots can be aerial, epiphytic (gripping the support) or terres-
trial. The aerial roots are cylindrical, unbranched (unless harmed
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