Doritis Orchids - Their History, Care and Photos

Have you ever heard about the genus Doritis? Do you know how to cultivate it?

With few species, this genus became very famous thanks to its hybridization ability with Phalaenopsis.

Thanks to Doritis orchids, several beautiful hybrids were created, known as Doritaenopsis.

In this article, you will learn everything about these little plants.

Table of Contents

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Important Notice

Formerly, Doritis was a genus of orchids very similar to Phalaenopsis, with its only difference being a small characteristic in the leaves.

But, on April 1st, 2014, everything changed.

With the publication of Genera Orchidacearum Volume 6, this species ceased to exist, and all orchids were transferred to the genus Phalaenopsis.

Therefore, it is important for you to know that:

This article is a “tribute” to this genus, and every time the name Doritis is mentioned for a species, understand that it should be Phalaenopsis.

Curiosities About Doritis Orchids

The name Doritis comes from Greek and means spear, a name given due to the characteristics of this orchid’s lip.

They can be:

Epiphytes (living on trees)
Terrestrial (living on organic material)

The vast majority of species in this genus can be considered terrestrial.

As for their size, they are small to medium-sized orchids, averaging from 10 cm to 30 cm.

A curiosity is that the most cultivated orchid in this genus is Doritis pulcherrima, currently known as Phalaenopsis pulcherrima.

Habitat and Hybrids

Regarding their habitat, Doritis orchids are also very similar to Phalaenopsis.

Most of them are ground orchids and can be found in Southeast Asia, especially near rivers and in sandy soils, where they are protected from the sun by trees.

They can be found especially in the following countries:

Vietnam
Malaysia
India
Thailand
Sri Lanka
Nepal

Regarding hybridization, Doritis orchids are widely used to create orchids of great beauty.

Here are some hybrids that use this species.

Hagerara: Doritis x Phalaenopsis x Vanda
Doritaenopsis: Doritis x Phalaenopsis
Aeriditis: Aerides x Doritis
Doricentrum: Ascocentrum x Doritis

Flowers

This is a genus that usually blooms during the summer.

As for colors, they can vary by species; while some have blue flowers, others may have orange, pink, etc.

Other important characteristics about their flowers are:

Average size of 5 cm (2 inches)
Duration of the flowers is 15 to 20 days
No fragrance

As for their hybrids, they can have various different characteristics in their blooms.

Cultivation

This is considered an orchid of easy cultivation; therefore, it can be recommended for beginners.

Below are the main care tips you should have for orchids in this genus.

Planting: can be planted in plastic or clay pots, and if your species is epiphytic, it can also be hung in hanging pots.
Light: ensure an adequate amount of light, but avoid direct sunlight. Refer to the article spots on orchid leaves to learn more about lighting.
Climate: prefers warmer temperatures. On average, 18°C (64°F) at night and between 29°C to 33°C (84°F to 91°F) during the day (source: AOS).
Potting mix: some of the most recommended potting mixes are sphagnum, pine bark, and charcoal.
Watering: water your orchid when the substrate is almost dry; you can do this by checking the substrate with a pencil, as taught in the article how to care for orchids.
Humidity: an average of 50% humidity is ideal.
Pests and Diseases: Doritis orchids are mainly attacked by fungal diseases such as Black Rot and Rust. Therefore, if you notice any part of your orchid being ill, cut it and keep it separate from the others.

The above tips also apply to Phalaenopsis pulcherrima.