orchids with the best leaf!

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

I nominate Phalaenopsis 'Sogo Vivien' variegated.

Oh! Be still my heart! 💔I saw small ones ( 3") at Hauserman's for $30.00. I was just to cheap to spend that amount.

[MattWoelfsen]

Too bad you did not get these plants when you had a chance! Just to rub it in, here is a picture of the blooms. Both plants are in bloom and I am enjoying them a lot. Oh and in the morning, they do have a scent, very light scent but I can detect their scent when I come to my breakfast table!



A close up:

[Dollythehun]

I had set a pretty tight budget for myself since I was using a gift card the Chief gave me for Christmas. However, I am only about an hour and a half away.😄

Btw, very pretty blooms!

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I had set a pretty tight budget for myself since I was using a gift card the Chief gave me for Christmas. However, I am only about an hour and a half away.😄



Btw, very pretty blooms!

For me, this plant is appealing because it is a Phalaenopsis. Everyone can get Phalaenopis but can you get one with variegated leaves? You are lucky you are near Hauserman's. I am four hours away!

They have many orchids that have unique and lovely leaves--most of the ones recommended here can be found at Hauserman's.

[Mountaineer370]

This thread has given me so many great ideas! I'm in love with the Sogo Vivien. I like variegated leaves in other houseplants and outdoor plants and didn't realize there was much of an option for that type of pattern in orchids. And the Lockhartia is very cool! Must find more space, must find more space........

[Bohata]

Originally Posted by fateisinmyhands

I absolutely agree! Schilly's have incredible color patterns that vary intensely between "pod-siblings" some are silver leaves with green spots, green leaves with sliver stripes, mottled reds and magenta also show up frequently.
There's also Phal stuartiana! A much softer freckling of silver or green.

For mini's you've got variegated Cymbidiums, Saderia japonica, Phal Schilleriana crosses with mini Phals or parishii, there's also this incredibly fantastic Gastrochilus fuscopunctatus.������ <--- seriously you will not regret looking them up

Don't forget Phalaenopsis schilleriana's wine-red leaf reverses as a bonus!

[snowflake3111]

Originally Posted by Bohata

Don't forget Phalaenopsis schilleriana's wine-red leaf reverses as a bonus!

YES the Phalaenopsis schilleriana have the best Phal leaves I think. The pattern in amazing. I have a Phalaenopsis schilleriana Cross it have some pattern to the leaf but not enough.

[fateisinmyhands]

Bohota you are definitely right, the reds are the best😍
Best thing I can say for more color on the Schilly is brighter light and regular feeding 😊
Mine has been in very bright indirect light for a little over 2 months now and the new leaf is coming in very quickly with a very strong color pattern😃
(There were originally twin plants in the pot, rats chewed one to the nub and left me one leaf on the survivor, poor Schilly is finally recovering!!)
I also threw in a photo of my miniature Phalaenopsis Pylo's Ruby Sweetheart (Liu's Bright Ruby 'Tina' HCC/AOS X Little Sweetheart 'Tom')

[fateisinmyhands]

Oh! Here's a picture of Phalaenopsis Pylo's Ruby Sweetheart in bloom. Peter just sent me a picture, he's the one woeing the orchids to make babies 😋😂😂

[NYCorchidman]

What do you consider as "good" or "best" leaves??

I'm surprised no one mentioned Paphiopedilum.
Many of them come with highly patterned beautiful leaves.

I like them all (species and hybrids all have great looking leaves) basically, but micranthum, concolor, curtisii, wardii, venustum are among my favorites.

Then, as mentioned already, there are Neofinetia falcata with all their shapes and colors and sizes!!!