Source for QUALITY species phals?

[peeweelovesbooks]

I've decided to give these a try. What is a good source for QUALITY species phals? I don't necessarily mind the price, just want good quality plants.

Also, what is a good reference list for species phals?

Thanks guys.

[jkofferdahl]

Here's a good list: Phalaenopsis species by alphabetical order. Google "Phalaenopsis species" and you'll get all the lists you could ever need.

Dowery Orchids is a fine source. Big Leaf Orchids is excellent, and my personal go-to source. Plants from Hausermann and Oak Hill have always been very nice.

[Bird Song Farm]

Hi,
Be sure to keep us posted on your new species project. John and I (and many others) have phal species collections. They are fascinating.

AL

[Paul]

Neat site, jkofferdahl! Jay's orchid encyclopedia might also be of some use:

Jay's Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia - Ph - Pi

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate has a few. Try Orchids Limited as well.

Which particular species are you looking for?

[cb977]

I've had lots of success with the species Phals that I get from Oak Hill. Big Leaf has fantastic stuff, Andy's is another.

[quiltergal]

Big Leaf is great though a bit spendy. Dowery has super plants and they are very reasonable. Orchidview also has lovely plants for a reasonable price. Orchidview has the "blue" violacea.

[peeweelovesbooks]

I'm looking for something relatively easy to grow so that I can work my way up to more difficult species. Something that can be potted, preferably. (with my hand pain I've realized that I can't grow stuff on mounts or huge plants. I need potted stuff that is relatively mobile and doesn't weigh a ton--I'm downsizing my collection because a lot of things I have I just can't take care of)


Thanks for the tips. I've been googling.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The ones I'm about to mention are not miniature Phals, but they aren't giants either. They are perhaps the easiest of the species Phals to start off with.

Phal phillipinensis
Phal schilleriana
Phal stuartiana

Another species that's great for those starting with species Phals is:

Phal equestris

Phal equestris is smaller. Each leaf usually gets no larger than 3" in length.

While I'm aware that Dowery Orchids does carry Phal appendiculata, a true miniature Phal, I can't recommend this yet. Each leaf gets no larger than 1 1/2" in length. Flowers are 1/4" in diameter.

They're difficult to establish and need to be mounted.

[peeweelovesbooks]

I grow the three phals that I have in coir, charcoal and perlite mix. They are hybrids and have really taken off in this mix. Do you recommend for species? I HATE bark. Down here in South Florida it's poison for me. Or, do you recommend moss?