Phalaenopsis 'Sunny Smell'
moth orchid 'Sunny Smell'
'Sunny Smell' has 4-6 long, fleshy leaves to 16cm long and branching flower stems to 25cm tall bear up to 12 long-lasting, slightly scented, pale-yellow flowers to 4cm across, with a pink lip, on each spike
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1 yearUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Yellow | Green | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Yellow | Green | |
| Autumn | Green | Yellow | Green | |
| Winter | Green | Yellow | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1ABotanical details
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Genus
Phalaenopsis are a large genus of species and hybrid mainly epiphytic orchids. Short, upward growing, stem-like rhizomes with no pseudobulbs produce oval, fleshy mid to dark green leaves and flowers in branched racemes from the base of the leaves
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in open bark-based, epiphytic orchid compost allowing the aerial roots to hang outside. Provide bright filtered light, good ventilation and from spring to autumn mist daily for high humidity, water freely as compost dries out, allowing water to drain and apply an orchid fertiliser monthly. Provide a minimum day temperature of 17°C and night minimum of 15°C; See Phalaenopsis cultivation
Propagation
Small plantlets (keiki) may appear from the nodes on the flower stems, detach plantlets when they have developed several good roots and pot up in orchid compost, water sparingly at first, but mist daily
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required, cut back flowered stems to a lower node to encourage further flowers
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.