PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Requires partial shade or dappled sunlight; avoid direct midday sun.
Watering
Requires high humidity and frequent watering, but roots must dry quickly between waterings.
Temperature
Prefers cool to intermediate temperatures with a distinct day-night temperature drop.
Characteristics
- Leaves: Sickle-shaped (falcate), leathery, pale green to yellowish-green, 5-15 cm long;
- Flowers: Racemes bearing 3 to 15 highly fragrant, white flowers with a short, fleshy lip marked with yellow and purple/red;
- Roots: Thick, fleshy, extensive aerial roots adapted for clinging to bark or rocks.
Care Guide
Watering
Water frequently as the potting medium approaches dryness.
Fertilization
Apply a weak, balanced orchid fertilizer.. Use fertilizer at quarter or half strength to avoid burning the sensitive aerial roots.
Banana Peel Tea：Steep chopped banana peels in water for 24 hours, strain, and dilute 1:1 with fresh water. Use to water the orchid to promote blooming. Avoid leaving solid peel residue on roots to prevent fungal issues.Pruning
- Remove spent flower spikes at the base using sterilized tools;
- Trim away completely dead, papery, or mushy roots during repotting;
- Never cut healthy, firm green or silvery aerial roots.
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: Non-toxic to cats per ASPCA guidelines for most orchids.
Humans: Generally considered non-toxic to humans.
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Highly prized among Western orchid enthusiasts and societies for its delightful fragrance and compact growth habit, often featured in specialized miniature orchid exhibitions.
Usage: Cultivated as an ornamental epiphyte in shade houses, mounted on cork bark, or grown in slatted wooden baskets.