Today’s Flowers #90 Phalaenopsis

Phalaena is the name given to a group of large moths. The name Phalaenopsis means 'Phalaena-like' as the flowers of some of the sixty species of this orchid are described  as resembling moths in flight. Thus Phalaenopsis are sometimes referred to as Moth orchids.
These showy flowers are native to south-east Asia from the Himalayas through the Philippines and as far as northern Australia. Most of them are epiphytes, growing either on other plants or on man-made objects like walls. Some are lithophytes, living on rocks. They gain moisture and nutrients from the surrounding air and rain.

Gillian and Paul gave us a Phalaenopsis last year (it was actually for my birthday but what's his is mine and what's mine's my own his)
It flowered beautifully for a long time and after the last flower had dropped I put it on the  floor in the conservatory where it remained undisturbed by the dogs or Winston and the late lamented Monty. Then Gus joined our merry band and, in the manner of all pups, chewed everything he could reach. (He's currently working on the stairs and stair carpet!)
I had fears for the future of the orchid and removed it to a safer location and hoped it would recover. Just before Easter I was delighted to note new growth on the stems and tasked Barry to record the development of the buds. We now have one flower open, five buds developing and nine or ten more threatening to appear!

Thanks must go to the Today's Flowers team who work so hard to organise and host this meme. To see more lovely blooms - and even to join in! - please click here.