Name: Phalaenopsis schilleriana Rchb.f.
Synonyms: Phalaenopsis schilleriana var. vestalis Rchb.f.
Etymology: schilleriana = in honor of Gustav Wilhelm Schiller (1803–1870), a Hamburg consul and passionate orchid collector, in whose collection the species first flowered in Europe in the 19th century.
First described: In 1860 by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach (Reichenbach f.).
Origin / Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines (mainly on the island of Luzon and neighboring smaller islands).
Location / Habitat: Grows epiphytically in the canopy of trees in humid lowland rainforest, from sea level up to elevations of about 450 meters. After deflasking, it requires bright conditions protected from direct sunlight at all times (bright, indirect light), warm to intermediate temperatures, high humidity of 70–80%, and steady, gentle air circulation.
Description & Notes: Phalaenopsis schilleriana is one of the most coveted and elegant species in the genus. In addition to its spectacular, pale pink to deep pink flowers, which may produce a pleasant, subtle fragrance, the species is distinguished by its exceptionally attractive foliage: the elongated, furrowed leaves have a silvery-gray, marbled pattern on the upper surface and a deep violet coloration on the underside. Older, well-established specimens are known for their prolific flowering and can produce richly branched inflorescences bearing numerous individual flowers. An absolute key species for both collectors of species orchids and lovers of variegated orchids.
In vitro culture: You will receive a flask containing 4 seedlings. The plants are generally already large enough to be deflasked. After opening, carefully remove all the growing medium from the roots with lukewarm water and pot the seedlings in fine, airy bark with a little sphagnum moss. For the first few weeks, we recommend high humidity, warm conditions, and bright but sheltered light with gentle air movement. Keep evenly moist but not waterlogged; once well established, light levels and drying periods can be increased gradually.
