who else cant stand ugly plants?

[Orchidgirl83]

My first phals are ugly growers, but I just can't stand to part with them just yet, even though I hate how they grow.

[kindrag23]

@RJSquirrel, I see you live in Houston, how do your phals do outside? How do you work the humidity requirements? I have never been to Houston before (6+ hr drive) but I have heard it can be quite humid there.

[The Orchid Boy]

I HATE ugly foliage and shriveled pseudobulbs. I've been able to perfectly water some orchids so that their p-bulbs don't shrivel or hardly shrivel. I would never take an orchid to a show or sell one if it wasn't with nice foliage and basically in perfect condition. I have 1 very pricey paph that has 1 old growth that is terrible but I could never get rid of it, I'll never again find one for the same price.

[RJSquirrel]

Im glad Im not all alone here

these were a few I discarded, Well 1 I dug back out of the trash cuz I saw a new shoot. 1. ..I still have the 1 new shoot. Its not going to make it though. Its a cheap plant but I had it for a long time so I understand the sentimental value. I really cant donate plants like this to anyone. Maybe I could leave on someones porch anonymously
I guess with all this said Im still feeling some pain over some of them.
Outside Mother Nature Keek yer Butts!!


I made the picture REAL Big so you can see how ugly.

And phals do very well outside most of the year here. They wont take lower than 50 outside for very long and they do not like to be cold and wet. Warm and moist they like best. Ill post the Big Leaf seedlings I got last time that are doing pretty good. Lost a few of them to ugly I did. Hail beat them up too. I just couldnt get them in fast enough.
IMO phals just dont really do that well indoors. Yay some could grow them anywhere, but I think in the home with the cooler temps all the time and lack of warmth everyone has a tendency to water them too much. They do fine to bring in and enjoy the blooms but in moss mine doesnt need watering for 2 weeks at least if ever. When they are done blooming back outside. They do need protection from Mother Nature and they wont take any direct sun. Just cant put em out on the porch and let em go ya know

[Kevin_PR]

Wow must be frustrating to have hail damage them so.. Atleast you were not hurt, that looks like it could've taken you down.

[Leafmite]

Here are a couple of 'ugly' plants that I don't mind. Fruit trees have to be sprayed every two weeks with malathion and Captain (or another pesticide and fungicide) so we keep ours pruned to a manageable height for spraying. Fruit trees take three to five years to produce fruit...so you do all you can to help keep them going...including propping up a major branch to keep the tree from falling over in the next big storm. Apple trees also often need staked in my area, ours is sheltered somewhat by the house.

[tarev]

I grow my Phals indoors, cannot take the chance leaving them in our very dry hot conditions outside. Plus there are hungry grasshoppers and other insects..so to lessen my agony, I keep them indoors near a window, where they can get some cool breeze and I have the ceiling fan on low so they have some air circulation when I have to close the windows when it just goes too hot.

I am a little more patient with ugly leaves though.

[HighSeas]

Well I can identify with that. I hate "imperfect" too. But I keep them....and love them just the same.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I want that peach tree.

[Priya_H]

Plants to me...are plants. Living, breathing things. Health over looks. If you don't want them costing you points, give them to others who appreciate plants for what they really are.