<i>Phalaenopsis </i>orchid plant named ‘PHA777427’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHA777427’, particularly characterized by having small white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, flowers that are flat in lateral view, weak lip curvature of lateral lobes, and is propagated by meristem tissue culture, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHA777427’, substantially as described and illustrated herein.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, buds, and foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs were taken in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands, from 50-week-old plants in December 2022. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actual colors of the new variety.

(2) FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds, and foliage of ‘PHA777427’.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA777427’.

(4) FIG. 3 shows an overhead, close-up view of the leaves of ‘PHA777427’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

(5) The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHA777427’. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length, without, however, any variance in genotype. The chart used in the identification of colors described herein is The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 2015 edition, except where general color terms of ordinary significance are used. The color values were determined under 4000-6000 lux natural light in a greenhouse in Bleiswijk, the Netherlands. Observations and measurements were made in December 2022 on flowering plants which were planted in 12-centimeter (diameter) pots. After in vitro propagation, the plants were grown in nursery trays for 20-24 weeks, followed by transplantation to 12-centimeter pots and grown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 30 weeks, continued by a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks in a greenhouse of 21° C. Flowering occurs after 50 weeks in 12-centimeter pots.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

(6) Classification: Family.—Orchidaceae. Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrid. Common name.—Moth orchid. Variety name.—‘PHA777427’. Parentage: Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘07-000001-3358’ (unpatented). Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘10-045504-0004’ (unpatented). Propagation: Type.—Meristem tissue culture. Roots: Root description.—Greyed-green (a color in between RHS 190B and. RHS 190C) colored roots with branching lateral roots having yellow-green (RHS N144D) toward the tips and RHS N144A colored root tips. Plant: Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20-24 weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plants are finished after 48 to 50 weeks. Growth habit of the peduncle.—Upright to slightly pendent with panicle inflorescence. Height (from soil level to top of inflorescence).—Approximately 40.0 cm to 45.0 cm. Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 34.0 cm to 37.0 cm. Vigor.—Strong. Leaves: Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 10 to 11 leaves are produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 18.0 cm to 20.0 cm. Width: 6.5 cm to 7.5 cm. Position of the broadest part of the leaf: Toward the tip. Shape: Obovate. Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric. Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal position): Between 10 degrees and 25 degrees. Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: Green (RHS 147A). Lower surface: Green (RHS 146A). Texture (both upper and lower surfaces): Smooth. Thickness: 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm. Variegation: Absent. Venation: Pattern: Parallel. Color of the midvein: Upper surface: Green (RHS 147A). Lower surface: Green (RHS 147B). Peduncle: Quantity per plant.—2 to 4. Number of flowers per peduncle.—25 to 30. Length.—40.0 cm to 45.0 cm. Diameter.—4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Strength.—Strong. Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent. Texture.—Smooth. Color.—A mix of yellow-green (RHS 146A) and brown (RHS 200A). Internode length.—2.0 cm to 3.0 cm. Inflorescence description: Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendent, panicle inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open in succession beginning with the lowermost flower. Number of inflorescences.—2 to 4. Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 200.0 mm to 250.0 mm. Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11 months after planting in a 12-cm pot. Flower.—Height: 40.0 nun to 45.0 mm. Diameter: 55.0 mm to 60.0 mm. Depth of lip: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm. Flower shape.—Flat. Flower longevity.—On the plant: 9 to 11 weeks. Fragrance.—Absent. Flower bud.—Average size: Medium. Length: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Width: 15.0 mm to 17.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145B) at the base and lighter yellow-green (RHS 145C) toward the tips. Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex: Rounded asymmetric. Margin: Weakly undulated. Length (from base to tip): 30.0 mm to 32.0 mm. Width: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the petal: Toward the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Number of spots and stripes on the petals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the petals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting of the petals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not applicable. Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic. Apex: Emarginated symmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm. Width: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the dorsal sepals: At the middle. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over, color: Touch of light yellow-green (RHS 145D) and very light purple (RHS 76B). Number of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the dorsal sepals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting of the dorsal sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not applicable. Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Position of the broadest part of the lateral sepals: Toward the base. Color (when fully opened): Upper surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Absent. Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145D). Number of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral sepals (upper surface): Not applicable. Density of netting of the lateral sepals (upper surface): None. Color of the netting (upper surface): Not applicable. Labellum (lip).—Whiskers: Present. Length of whiskers: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C). Pubescence on the lip: Absent. Lateral lobe.—Shape: Type V (as described in the International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV) Test Guidelines for Phalaenopsis); spatulate. Margin: Moderately undulated. Length: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Width: 11.0 mm to 13.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: White (RHS NN155C) with greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) towards margin on one side and purplish-red (RHS 59B) stripes at the base. Lower surface: White (RHS NN155C) with greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) margin on one side and diluting purplish-red (RHS N77B) stripes at the base. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Few to medium stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS 59B. Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of the netting: Not applicable. Apical lobe.—Shape: Ovate. Margin: Entire. Length: 15.0 min to 17.0 mm. Width: 17.0 mm to 19.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Reddish-orange (RHS 175D) margin and greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) at the base; white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Lower surface: Reddish-orange (RHS 175D) margin and greenish-yellow (RHS 151B) at the base; white (RHS NN155C) toward whiskers. Number of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: None. Color of spots and stripes on the apical lobe: Not applicable. Density of netting of the apical lobe: None. Color of the netting: Not applicable. Bump and ridge: Absent. Callus.—Average size: Small. Height: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Length: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color: Light greenish-yellow (RHS 3C) in front and the top; white (RHS 155B) on sides; RHS 59B very small dots. Reproductive organs: Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Diameter: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C). Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 1.0 mm to 1.1 mm. Color: Orange-yellow (RHS 23A). Ovary.—Length: 8.0 mm to 10.0 mm. Diameter: 1.3 mm to 1.5 mm. Pedicel.—Length: 25.0 mm to 27.0 mm. Diameter: 1.5 mm to 1.7 mm. Color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145A) at the base; lighter yellow-green (RHS 145C) with a touch of reddish-purple (RHS N78B) toward the flower. Texture: Smooth. Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or susceptibility observed to pathogens and pests common to Phalaenopsis to date. Fruit and seeds: Fruit and seed development has not been observed on plants of the new Phalaenopsis to date.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES AND MOST SIMILAR VARIETIES

(7) ‘PHA777427’ differs from the female parent plant ‘07-000001-3358’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHA777427’ has white whiskers and white petals on the upper side with no stripes on the petals, whereas ‘07-000001-3358’ has purplish-pink whiskers with white tips and light purple petals on the upper side with many stripes on the petals.

(8) ‘PHA777427’ differs from the male parent plant ‘10-045504-004’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHA777427’ has moderately compressed to medium petals, ovate apical lobes, and emarginated dorsal sepal apexes, whereas ‘10-045504-004’ has medium to moderately elongated petals, triangular apical lobes, and obtuse dorsal sepal apexes.

(9) ‘PHA777427’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALGUOCH’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,281) and ‘PHALDRIDOP’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,980). ‘PHA777427’ differs froth the commercial variety ‘PHALGUOCH’ in that ‘PHA777427’ has wider leaves, weak lip curvature of lateral lobes, and no spots on the lateral sepals, whereas ‘PHALGUOCH’ has shorter leaves, medium lip curvature of lateral lobes, and medium spots on lateral sepals.

(10) ‘PHA777427’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALDRIDOP’ in that ‘PHA777427’ has ovate apical lobes, light yellow-green lateral sepals, and medium anthocyanin coloration, whereas ‘PHALDRIDOP’ has triangular apical lobes, lateral sepals are absent of color, and anthocyanin coloration is absent or weak.