We are the exclusive nursery in USA to have amazing offerings from Prince Orchids of Taiwan. This is a cross of two select clones of Phal. gigantea var. alba. The pod parent, the clone 'Prince', is a choice selection from the population of the selfing of Phal. gigantea var. alba ‘Ta-Wei’. The clone 'Prince' was selected for its larger flower size, more compact leaves, and species vigor. The clone 'Ta-Wei' is awarded Judge’s Commendation from the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association. This new strain is actually easier to flower and bloom for us than the regular Phal. gigantea and surprisingly some plants of this particular population have a pink lip!
Found in Sabah, Borneo, and Sarawak in lowland to hill forests at elevations up to 1,300 feet, Phal. gigantea is named the “Gigantic Phalaenopsis” for its enormous leaves that can grow up to 3 feet long in nature. It is a large sized, warm to hot growing, understory epiphyte carrying 5 to 6, pendulous, leathery, shiny, bluish green, obtuse leaves. It can bloom at any time but mostly in the late summer and early fall on a 6-15 inch pendulous, many flowered inflorescence with small, triangular bracts and sweetly fragrant, simultaneously opening flowers. The round, fleshy flowers are 1.5 - 2.75 inches in diameter, and yellow, with closely spaced red spots with a blue lip. The inflorescence remains green and can flower for several years, so it is best not to cut it off unless it is brown and dry. Phal. gigantea grows extremely slowly, needing 8-12 years to reach blooming size (hence its high price). However, we have found that the alba form of the species are proven to be faster growing and can bloom in half the time as the regular colored form.
It is a very demanding (but not too difficult) species with strict requirements for growing conditions. This plant favors shadier conditions than its relatives in the subgenus Polychilos (e.g., Phal. cornu-cervi, Phal. violacea, Phal. bellina, Phal. amboinensis). An average daytime temperature of 85°F and nighttime temperature of 75° F is recommended year round. Phal. gigantea needs a humidity of 70-75%. In its natural habitat, the humidity is higher. Sphagnum moss is recommended as a substrate, with regular use of highly diluted fertilizer sprayed on the leaves as a foliar fertilizer. Its roots are sensitive to fertilizer salts, which will lead to leaf tip burn. Tilting the pot at an angle of 30-45° ensures good drainage and minimizes crown rot. Repotting (if necessary) is best done when new roots begin to grow. Phal. gigantea should be kept constantly moist throughout the year using room temperature water at about 70°F. This orchid is extremely susceptible to rotting; plants should be watered early in the morning and must dry quickly. The constant movement of air between the long leaves is very important. This plant has no rest period and should not be exposed to large temperature fluctuations. A “must have” for any novelty Phal. breeding program. Phal. gigantea influences the flower shape and color, however it does not dominate the leaf size in complex hybrids. Highly recommended for the species nut and fragrant orchid lover.
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PLEASE NOTE: Since this is a Seedling Population (not a Mericlone which produces exact duplicates), the picture is for illustration purposes only. No two plants will be the same from this cross, and they will flower in a range of possibilities coming from the two parents.