Phal Stuartiana

[IPlantWait]

I would love to hear about your experiences with the Stuartiana & care tips?

Is it THAT fussy?

Is it an absolutely terrible idea for those in NJ with winter temps in the 60s in the home?

It’s so beautiful! But I don’t want to buy one and kill it.

[camille1585]

Phal stuartiana is species which is quite tolerate of lower temps. I have stuartiana, and the primary hybrid stuartiana x schilleriana, and both are very hardy plants, and are more like complex hybrids in terms of temperature tolerance and care. My temps in the winter are low 60s at night and high 60s during the day, and the plants grow and bloom beautifully. If you already have some experience and success in growing run of the mill Phals, then Phal stuartiana should not be any more difficult for you.

[IPlantWait]

Thank you! Your photos are amazing by the way, they include some of my orchid collection goals!

I think it is such a beautiful plant, I hope I can care for it well. Do you water it significantly less in the winter when the temps drop? Also, do you have heat mats for your more picky orchids in the winter also?

[camille1585]

I don't water on a fixed schedule, but when they need it. For Phals, that's when the roots are silver colored again. In the winter I'm watering every 7-10 days, and usually twice a week in the summer. I don't have heat mats, but instead try to avoid the true warm growing plants (like Phal speciosa, tetraspis, bellina...) and stick to plants that will do well in my conditions as they are.

Glad you like my photos! I should update my link, when Flickr increased the price of the pro membership I moved to a new photo site.

[IPlantWait]

Yes I’d love more photos!