Phalaenopsis equestris

Phalaenopsis equestris is an species in the genus Phalaenopsis.

Description

Plant blooms from anytime of the year but mostly from fall to spring with many successively opening 1.5 to 3 cm wide flowers. Species has a habit of Producing Keikis (Child in Hawaiian) and re-blooming off of old spikes and tips.

The plant was first described by Schauer in 1843 as Stauroglottis equestris from a collection by Meyen.

Distribution

Plants are found growing in warm valleys near streams in Philippines to Taiwan at elevations of 0 to 300 meters.

Culture

Grow in intermediate to warm temperatures. Pot in medium fir bark and keep in moderate light. Water about once a week. Keep plant fairly moist but not wet. Reduce watering during the winter.

Varieties

Image	Name	Description
	Phalaenopsis equestris var. alba [Hort] E A Christensen 2001	Sepals and petals are white. Lip is white
	Phalaenopsis equestris var. aurea	Sepals and petals are white . Lip is yellow
	Phalaenopsis equestris var. ilocos	Sepals and petals are light purple . Lip is purple
	Phalaenopsis equestris var. rosea	Sepals and petals are pink . Lip is pink
	Phalaenopsis equestris variant	Sepals and petals are magenta . Lip is red
	Phalaenopsis equestris var. cyanochilus	Sepals and petals are white with very light blue shades. Lip is blue.

Naming

Common Names:The Horse Phalaenopsis

Synonyms

1. Phalaenopsis equestris f. alba hort. 1969
2. Phalaenopsis equestris f. alba [Hort] E A Christensen 2001
3. Phalaenopsis equestris f. aurea Christenson 2001
4. Phalaenopsis equestris f. cyanochila O.Gruss 2001
5. Phalaenopsis equestris [Schauer] Rchb.f var alba {Hort.] Sweet 1967
6. Phalaenopsis equestris [Schauer] Rchb.f var leucaspis Rchb.f 1881
7. Phalaenopsis equestris [Schauer] Rchb.f var leucotanthe Rchb.f 1883
8. Phalaenopsis equestris var. rosea Valmayor & D.Tiu in H.L.Valmayor 1984
9. Phalaenopsis esmeralda auct. non rchb.f ?
10. Phalaenopsis riteiwanensis Masaume 1934
11. Phalaenopsis rosea Lindley 1848
12. Phalaenopsis rosea var aurantiaca Gower 1892
13. Phalaenopsis rosea var deliciosa Barb. 1882
14. Phalaenopsis rosea var leucaspis [Rchb.f] Rolfe 1886
15. Phalaenopsis stauroglottis [Schauer] Rchb.f 1881
16. *Stauroglottis equestris Schauer 1843
17. Stauroglottis riteiwanensis (Masam.) Masam. 1934

References

• Sweet, Herman R.. The Genus Phalaenopsis. The Orchid Digest, 1980.