The Tiger Orchid

One of the most majestic orchids to bloom this season is the Phalaenopsis schilleriana or the Tiger orchid.  Its scientific name was chosen to honor German orchid collector Gustav Wilhelm Schiller. It was in his greenhouse where this plant bloomed for the first time in Europe. Locally, it is known among orchid enthusiasts as the Tiger orchid or “tigre,” due to the tiger-like markings on its leaves.

This orchid blooms between February and May. It’s actually a response to our natural cool evening temperature at this time of the year. This species is native to the Philippines and is found in cool upland areas in southern Luzon like Tanay in Rizal, Lipa in Batangas and Tagaytay in Cavite. It also thrives in certain areas of Eastern Visayas.

The Tiger orchid blooms spectacularly. Any garden that happens to have an abundance of this plant promises to look magnificent. The plant’s leaves are dark green in color and spotted of silvery grey in upper side, patterned like that of a tiger and uniformly purple in the lower side, about 40 centimeters long and eight to 12 centimeters wide. Flowers are six to eight centimeters in diameter with sepals of various shades of pink. The color is paler at the edges and is purplish at the base

In cultivation, the plant is best mounted in a clay pot with charcoal, in coconut husks or on wooden slabs. It thrives in shaded locations and is exposed to morning or late afternoon sunlight but protected from direct sunlight and ensconced in cooler temperatures ranging from 18 to 30 degrees Celsius. It requires high humidity of 60 to 80 percent and good ventilation which can be achieved by surrounding the plant with companion plants.

The Tiger orchid needs regular watering during summer and protection from excessive monsoon rains. Otherwise, it will rot. The plant will benefit from a weekly spray of dilute solution of complete foliar orchid fertilizer or a diluted mixture of fish emulsion or washings.

Flowering is induced by subjecting the plant to cool night temperatures and a day temperature not exceeding 26 degrees Celsius. Plants in cooler or elevated regions tend to flower more than those in the lowlands.

It is prone to pests such as mites, aphids and caterpillars which tend to chew on its tender leaves and young inflorescences. A dose of insecticide is recommended. Likewise, it’s best to administer a weekly spray of dilute fungicide during the rainy season to prevent rotting.

Floral stems are usually cut when withered or when the blooming season has completed.  The plant is propagated by removing the plantlets which have developed from the old floral stems. Commercially, plants are mass produced through seeds, usually in a laboratory using the orchid embryo culture technique.

The Tiger orchid is popular among orchid enthusiasts. It’s been used both in landscaping and also in garden shows as a specimen plant. The species is also used as a breeding stock in the development of Phalaenopsis hybrids.

The Tiger orchid, being a very unique and noteworthy Philippine plant, will be featured in the upcoming show of the Philippine Orchid Society (POS). In celebration of the blooming season of the Phalaenopsis, the POS is inviting everyone visit the upcoming 2013 POS Orchid and Garden Show, to be held from February 28 to March 11 at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.

This year’s theme, “Philippine Orchid Species Revisited,” puts emphasis on the value of Philippine species for conservation and its importance as a parent material in breeding the more colorful orchid hybrids of today. The show will also hold free daily afternoon lectures on gardening and growing orchids.

For the schedule of lectures, you can call Jenny Rivera at 929-4425.