Phalaenopsis violacea
June 2, 2012
A wonderfully fragrant Phalaenopsis species from Malaysia and Sumatra where it grows at an altitude of about 150 meters. It is a warm growing pendulous epiphyte with nice waxy flowers of light violet hues on a cream base. Some say the fragrance is a mix of bubble gum and cinnamon, but I think it smells more like Lilly of the Valley with a hint of Jasmine perhaps.
I especially like the faint purple striping on the lateral sepals near the center of the flower, and the lime green tint on the tips. I grow it potted in the small intermediate vivarium, in fairly low light, high humidity and kept evenly moist. It usually blooms faithfully twice a year, late summer and early spring, and each inflorescence carry several flowers in succession. It started blooming in May and is still going strong. I do not grow many Phalaenopsis, but this is a favorite.