New NOID Mini Phals - Orchid Board

gehentogo · #1 11-17-2008, 06:44 PM

Hey guys, some advice here, please...

Today at the grocery store, I found a tray of tiny miniature phalinopsis'. There were pure white ones, purple ones, and light purple ones with dark spots on the flowers. they are all in about one inch pots, and come with a ceramic pot for EURO 6.99, which is a little less than $10. The problem is, they all have a green layer of algae on top of the sphagnum they are potted in. Other than that, there are many that seemed in good health.

Would you fork out your hard earned cash for these cute little things? My instinct says if I had one to instantly re-pot it in sphagnum, perhaps spray with listerine, and see if they live. What do you think?

camille1585 · #2 11-17-2008, 06:50 PM

I have seen these very often in garden centers and big box stores. Usually they are in very bad shape (much worse than the other orchids there), overwatered... So I would only get only if it was a fresh delivery. I got one as a gift for someone, and when no one was looking I poked around to check the roots before buying it.
If you are reasonably certain that they are in good health, yes, I would get one (I never say no to an orchid!

), and repot asap!
I have to say that those mini phals are absolute cutsies!!

gehentogo · #3 11-20-2008, 06:33 AM

I decided not to buy one of these mini-phals. They looked really cool, but that layer of algae creeped me out. I've seen mini-phals in plenty of places, but not for this cheap. However, they almost always have green moss on the top or mushy roots or something. I guess I'll just keep my eyes open.

camille1585 · #4 11-20-2008, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gehentogo

I decided not to buy one of these mini-phals. They looked really cool, but that layer of algae creeped me out. I've seen mini-phals in plenty of places, but not for this cheap. However, they almost always have green moss on the top or mushy roots or something. I guess I'll just keep my eyes open.

I know what you mean. I really would like one, but I also see the green stuff in most of the pots. I wonder why these mini phals have it and not the standard ones. I did see some super healthy mini phals at the Amsterdam flower market, but 20€ each was a huge rip off! I guess we just have to keep our eyes open for a nice, healthy and well priced mini phals... Good luck!