Vivi's Orchid Corner
September, 1998; Article 32
Phalaenopsis Mahogany 'Belle'
Dear Orchid Friends:
My Phalaenopsis Mahogany 'Belles' are in full bloom right now (August). I am always thrilled when these summer bloomers burst forth. Yet while admiring their beauty and fragrance, I had to chuckle...how naive I was so many years ago. I still pause to reflect: what is this plant?Many years ago as I was just acquiring an interest in orchids, an acquaintance gave me a small phalaenopsis plant. She stated it "was a Florida species". Great! How perfect! I thought. (We live in Florida). How naive I was...little did I realize that with a name of Phalaenopsis Mahogany 'Belle', it was probably a cross. I, however, did not know about hybrids, species or parentage at this time. For years I thought it was a Florida species. I still do not know its parentage... but it is one of my favorite orchids.
My guess is that Phalaenopsis Mahogany 'Belle' is a cross of the species Phalaenopsis amboinesis. Characteristics are strikingly similar, although I think this particular orchid is far more vivid and striking.. Phalaenopsis amboinesis originates from an island west of New Guinea, the isle of Ambon.
Summers are HOT AND HUMID in Florida. I never complain about it and neither do these phalaenopsis. These phals truly love South Florida. Summer is when they put on their show.
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS: The plants are slow growers and can remain in smaller pots for extended periods before requiring repotting. They tolerate brighter sunlight and warmer temperatures than a majority of other phals and have a distinctive yellow flower. Roots tend to crawl and spread out of the pot. This phalaenopsis produces an abundance of keikis or off shoots forming new plants. Allow the keikis to form on the spike. Let the keikis develop a good root system before removing them for repotting. The roots grow rapidly so you won't have to wait long!
FLOWERS: I have always found the flowering habits of the Phal. Mahogany 'Belle' dramatic and interesting. The flowers are deliciously aromatic during the day - a sweet, delicate citrusy aroma. Keikis form on the same spike as the flowers. They usually bloom spring to summer.
Flowers are yellow-green with horizontal crossbars of brown (cinnamon or mahogany). When flowers initially open, they have a greener tint and turn more yellow. The thick, waxy flowers are approximately 2-3 inches across. Petals and sepals are similarly
shaped (somewhat elliptical) and nearly equal in size. Flower petals are distinctly separated from each other without any overlapping. The column is pale amber with a white anther cap. The stigmatic cavity is dark amber and the broad
diamond shaped lip is a luscious purplish-rose color. Flowers are borne in succession (one flower after the
other at a time) on spikes with a single flower at one time or in clusters of two or three. These phals do not
produce a tall arching inflorescence.
LIGHT & TEMPERATURE: Phal. Mahogany 'Belle' tolerates substantial bright light and likes quite a bit of sunshine. They appear to thrive on warm temperatures (80's - 90's F) and humidity. I grow my plants in a screen enclosure (pool enclosure). They get sun all morning to early afternoon in the summer. They are happy! I leave them outdoors in winter also, but DO bring them indoors when temperatures drop into high 40's or lower.
WATER & FERTILIZER; I grow these plants in clay and plastic pots in a mixture of alliflor and bark. They tend to be thirstier than other phals and require watering every other or every two days in the summer. Cut back on the watering schedule in winter to every four days or so. If the leaves look limp or shriveled, you should water more often. I fertilize with a 20 - 20 - 20 solution every week during peak summer while the plant is producing flowers and keikis. Then water every other week spring and in fall.
I will cut back to once every three or four weeks in the winter. Beware - spider mites love this plant so check them regularly in spring and summer.
Phalaenopsis Mahogany 'Belle' - an orchid that will delight you. It's certainly not the showiest phalaenopsis. Its beauty is in appreciating its simplicity and its magnificence. Do I sound biased? Absolutely! I may never learn its exact cross, but this orchid will always be one of my favorites. I look forward to the heat of the summer because I know my Mahogany will bloom.
It is truly a wondrous sight.
Until next time,
Vivi
Vivi's Orchids
15th World Orchid Conference Site
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