Phalaenopsis Orchid

Just wanted to upload a few photos of the wonderful orchid that my mum and Norman gave to us recently

The roots - aerial and potted. Lots of aerial roots can mean that the plant is happy in its environment - I hope that's the case here. Originally terrestial, some Orchid have adapted to epiphytic plants, meaning that they grow up in the trees and have lots of aerial roots. The roots can rapidly take in nutrients and water, they like a humid environment - which can be easier to achieve for the roots in the pot.

Wakey, wakey. In a day of so, the flower is revealed.

A close up of the flower. We can see that the flower structure is bilateral - it can be cut in half vertically to produce a mirror image. I initially thought that the flowers would be classed as tepals, but apparently they are called as follows: At the top, the Dorsal sepal, moving down are the petals on either side, with the lower parts called lateral sepals. Therefore on the Phalaenopsis there are only two actual petals! Although the sepals match the petals and give us a lovely looking flower.

Side views of the flower.

Looking down onto the flower revealing that the flower is beautiful and complex from all angles.

 

On this close up, we can see the anther cap at the end of the column near the top of the image and the packets of pollen are held here. The colouration in the callus is wonderful, I bet it has no problem with getting attention from pollinators in its native wilderness.

The plant in all its glory.