Species Vs. Hybrid

[kinknstein]

I just read about some deciduos phals over the weekend, and I'll be darned I cannot remember any of them now! Think lowii though...oh, King beat me to it

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Yup Phal lowii is definitely one of them.

I had one. But now have resorted to cloning it as a last resort to save it. We'll see what turns up.

I didn't realize I had to observe dormancy. I've erroneously read information that dormancy didn't have to be observed and it'd be okay. What bs.

Goes to show you how much bad information can be out there. Got to sift through the detritus.

[kinknstein]

Huh, that was exactly what I had read over the weekend King! That there was no need to observe the dormancy period. Guess we cannot always trust what we read, thanks for the heads up King, I had been planning on getting a lowii in a couple weeks, I might hold off for a bit now...

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Phal braceana, Phal lowii, Phal taenialis, Phal wilsonii

They're considered the leafless or deciduous Phals. These can grow leaves, but can also drop them too without the plant being dead.

They behave like overgrown Chiloschista sp.

Great info thanks King. I learn something everyday

[OzPhal]

How do you observe dormancy? Is it simply a case of witholding all water etc?

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Yup Phal lowii is definitely one of them.

I had one. But now have resorted to cloning it as a last resort to save it. We'll see what turns up.

I didn't realize I had to observe dormancy. I've erroneously read information that dormancy didn't have to be observed and it'd be okay. What bs.

Goes to show you how much bad information can be out there. Got to sift through the detritus.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The specifics are still somewhat unclear. From what I understand, it's a combination of cooler temperatures, and withholding water (I don't know if it's all water or most water), and no fertilization.

Apparently with Phal lowii, it experiences three distinct seasons.

Don't expect any cues as to when to start dormancy from the plant though, as of right now I can't tell what the cues are.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'll add one more thing about Phal lowii.

It will keep growing leaves through its dormancy period if you don't observe it. But root growth is severely hindered (it will not grow any - sound familiar to all those people who grow deciduous Dendrobiums? it's the same problem).

This was the problem. It didn't put out new root growth and eventually pined away.

The roots and meristem are far more important to the plant's survival than the leaves are (not to say that the leaves aren't important at all, of course).