<i>Phalaenopsis </i>orchid plant named ‘PHA773779’

Abstract

A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHA773779’, particularly characterized by having white flowers with greenish-yellow and white lips, flowers that are concave in lateral view, lip curvature of lateral lobe is medium, and semi-erect to horizontal leaf attitude, is disclosed.

Claims

1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PHA773779’, 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 September 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 ‘PHA773779’.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a close-up of a flower of ‘PHA773779’.

(4) FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the leaves of ‘PHA773779’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

(5) The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘PHA773779’. 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 September 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 to 24 weeks, followed by transplantation into 12-centimeter (diameter) 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.—‘PHA773779’. Parentage: Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘07-023312-0004’ (unpatented). Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘PHALDIPWEQ’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,466). 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 144C) colored root tips. Plant: Crop time to flowering.—Following asexual propagation (in vitro), the rooted cuttings grow for 20 to 24 weeks. After transplantation into 12-cm pots, the plant is 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 58.0 cm to 63.0 cm. Width (measured from leaf tips).—About 34.0 cm to 36.0 cm. Vigor.—Strong. Leaves: Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 9 to 10 leaves are produced before flowering. Length (fully expanded): 16.0 cm to 18.0 cm. Width: 6.5 cm to 7.5 cm. Position of the broadest part of the leaf: At the middle. Shape: Oblong. Base shape: Moderately elongated. Apex: Slightly asymmetric. Leaf blade angle with the petiole (measured from the horizontal position): Between 20 degrees and 30 degrees. Leaf margin: Entire. Color: Upper surface: RHS 147A. Lower surface: 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: RHS 147A. Lower surface: RHS 146A. Peduncle: Quantity per plant.—1 to 2. Number of flowers per peduncle.—13 to 18. Length.—58.0 cm to 63.0 cm. Diameter.—5.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Strength.—Strong. Aspect.—Upright to slightly pendent. Texture.—Smooth. Color.—Mix of yellow-green (RHS 146C) and reddish-brown (RHS 200B). Internode length.—3.0 cm to 4.0 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.—1 to 2. Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 240.0 mm to 340.0 mm. Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 10 to 11 months after planting in a 12-cm pot. Flower.—Height: 85.0 mm to 90.0 mm. Diameter: 100.0 mm to 105.0 mm. Depth of lip: 30.0 mm to 32.0 mm. Flower shape.—Concave. Flower longevity.—On the plant: 9 to 11 weeks. Fragrance.—Absent. Flower bud.—Average size: Large. Length: 24.0 mm to 26.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm. Shape: Egg shaped. Color: Light yellow-green (RHS 145C) with a touch of purple shade (RHS 77D). Petals.—Arrangement: Open/free. Shape: Semi-circular. Apex: Slightly asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 49.0 mm to 51.0 mm. Width: 61.0 mm to 63.0 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: Light reddish-purple midvein (RHS N78D). 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: Obtuse symmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 50.0 mm to 52.0 mm. Width: 35.0 mm to 37.0 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: Light yellowish-green (RHS 157C) at the middle from the base toward the tips and very light purple shade (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: Not applicable. Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate. Apex: Obtuse asymmetric. Margin: Entire. Length (from base to tip): 52.0 mm to 54.0 mm. Width: 28.0 mm to 30.0 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: Touch of light yellow-green (RHS 145D). Lower surface: Basic color: White (RHS NN155C). Over color: Light yellow-green (RHS 157A); touch of very light purple (RHS 76C) toward margins and light reddish-purple midvein (RHS N78D) toward tips. 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: 28.0 mm to 30.0 mm. Color of whiskers: White (RHS NN155C) with light greenish-yellow tips (RHS 2C). 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: Medium undulated. Length: 21.0 mm to 23.0 mm. Width: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Touch of light yellow (RHS 11B) and striped at the base RHS 176B; greenish-yellow (RHS 153B) toward margin on one side; white (RHS NN155C) toward the tips. Lower surface: Greenish-yellow (RHS 8D) toward the margin on one side; white (RHS NN155C) toward margin on one side and tips. Number of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: Few to medium stripes. Color of spots and stripes on the lateral lobe: RHS 176B. Density of netting of the lateral lobe: None. Color of the netting: None. Apical lobe.—Shape: Triangular. Margin: Entire. Length: 23.0 mm to 25.0 mm. Width: 22.0 mm to 24.0 mm. Color: Upper surface: Reddish-orange (RHS 176C) margin and greenish-yellow (RHS 151C) at the base; white (RHS NN155C) toward the whiskers. Lower surface: Reddish-orange (RHS 176C) margin and greenish-yellow (RHS 151C) 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: None applicable. Callus.—Average size: Medium to large. Height: 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm. Length: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Width: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Color: Orange (RHS 178B) toward tips; yellow (RHS 12B) on sides; dotted RHS 178B. Reproductive organs: Column.—Length: 10.0 mm to 11.0 mm. Diameter: 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm. Color: White (RHS NN155C). Pollinia.—Quantity: 2. Diameter: 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. Color: Orange-yellow (RHS 23A). Ovary.—Length: 13.0 mm to 16.0 mm. Diameter: 2.2 mm to 2.6 mm. Pedicel.—Length: 37.0 mm to 40.0 mm. Diameter: 2.7 mm to 3.0 mm. Color: Yellow-green (RHS 146C) at the base; light yellow-green (RHS 145C) with a touch of very light purple (RHS 76B) 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) ‘PHA773779’ differs from the female parent plant ‘07-023312-0004’ (unpatented) in that ‘PHA773779’ has larger flowers and semi-erect to horizontal leaf attitude, whereas ‘07-023312-0004’ has smaller flowers and horizontal leaf attitude.

(8) The male parent plant of ‘PHA773779’, ‘PHALDIPWEQ’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 26,466), is no longer in existence, therefore a meaningful comparison cannot be made.

(9) ‘PHA773779’ is most similar to the commercial Phalaenopsis plants named ‘PHALHOQGAI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,571) and ‘PHALHORDIN’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 33,096). ‘PHA773779’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALHOQGAI’ in that ‘PHA773779’ has larger flowers, wider leaves, and medium curvature of lateral lobe lips, whereas ‘PHALHOQGAI’ has smaller flowers, more narrow leaf width, and strong curvature of lateral lobe lips. Additionally, ‘PHA773779’ has longer whiskers than ‘PHALHOQGAI’.

(10) ‘PHA773779’ differs from the commercial variety ‘PHALHORDIN’ in that ‘PHA773779’ has larger, concave flowers in lateral view, and longer whiskers, whereas ‘PHALHORDIN’ has smaller, flat flowers in lateral view, and shorter whiskers.