"Nick wrote in message after me
More likely a Moth Orchid, which is a Phalaenopsis, ...
They are epiphytes and live high up under the tree canopy in tropical
rainforests attached to tree branches by those thick clinging roots so
they
only get water when it rains, only get food when bird droppings etc get
washed to the roots, and never stay wet for long.

When the spike finishes flowering don't cut it off unless it turns brown
and
dies. It will flower again from the same spike or if you are very lucky
you
will get another plant growing on it.

Interesting. I didn't know that. We were given one a few years ago,
and I am absolutely flabberghasted by it. With the attention you
describe (often in the form of benign neglect), it has flowered
spectacularly for 7 months at a stretch! Quite amazing.


I would say from my experience ('tis a few years since I kept them) it's
more unusual for the spike to die after flowering than stay green and alive.
It will just keep producing more flowering spurs from the nodes so on a big
old plant you will have almost constant flowering as it will have more than
one flower spike. As I said, occasionally it will produce a "Keiki", a new
plant, which will grow roots whilst still attached, which is a bonus. Just
bend the spike over into another pot and the new plant will root itself.
It's the way they take over whole branches in the forest.

Much easier to grow than they used to be, obviously becoming domesticated.
Years ago it was said they needed constant shade in a specialist orchid hot
house now they appear to be one of the easiest flowering house plants to
grow, well, mature hybrid plants at least.

--
Regards
Bob

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