Phal. Gigantea #2

[peeweelovesbooks]

So,

After much thought (well, not really THAT much) I broke down and bought a phal. gigantea from orchidweb...the 4.5 inch pot.


Sooooooooooooooooooo, what can I expect? How to take care of this beauty? Watering--distilled, from the tap or something else?

Fertilizing or not?

Mounted or not? If so, how?

Outside or inside? (I live in Miami, the land of a thousand hot days)

Thanks for the advice!

I can't wait to get it.

[Cookiemonster]

I dont know too much- but what I do know is this plant does not like to be moved around or shuffled with- stability and slow as anything here are some helpful links


Big Leaf Orchids - Phalaenopsis gigantea

IOSPE PHOTOS

Good luck!

[magicatt]

Checked on orchid wiz for you and was given temps of 72-85 degrees, 800-1000 fc. 1/4-1/2 strength fertilizer when grown in bark. Hope this helps.

[Lagoon]

This is not a difficult grower in my humble opinon. I grow it as any other phal I own. It's potted in plastic with sphagnum moss with some coarse rok. I water it 2x per week. Ferts 2 times per month. I use regular tap water. I keep it with my multi-floral paphs - somewhere near catt lighting but lower on the shelf. I fan during the day - not at night. RH can be anywhere from 66% to 85%. RT - from 68 to 82 degrees.

HTH

[camille1585]

Thanks for the Big Leaf Orchids link Cookiemonster. I read it all, and found it really interesting and informative. I'd love to have one of the hybrids that are pictured at the bottom of the page, they are gorgeous!! But major space hogs!

[peeweelovesbooks]

Do you all think that I can mount it on a BIG cork slab? I want to place it somewhere where I don't have to move it for a while, that's why I was thinking cork.

Any thoughts?

[peeweelovesbooks]

lagoon,

How big is yours? how long have you had it?

[Lagoon]

I've had it since june. It was 9.5 from tip to tip. Now, it's 12 inches. New leaf started in late oct, its now 3 inches. Its growing well.
I have not had any set-back from transplant - just work fast
These are not the fussy phals some have made them out to be

[Brooke]

Congratulations you will love this plant even when not in bloom. Who cannot love these big beautiful leaves.



This was my birthday present to me last June. The small leaf pictured is now 14" long and the newest leaf is now 6". It has been a growing machine this summer.

I have two others, a seedling and one with about an 8" leaf span. The middle size I mounted last year and remounted again this year. It never missed a beat so I don't think disturbing them is an issue.

Yes, you need a big mount, tree fern is best to hold some moisture, temps between 65-90. During the summer it gets watered every day and now that it is cool, if the g/h is sunny it gets watered, if dark and cloudy, every other day.

My other seedling gets my normal water routine as any other potted phal, species or hybrid.

Enjoy the progress of your new giant beauty.

Brooke

[Ray]

It's a typical phal, with "warm blood". Mounting is a great idea if you can water it at least daily.