My White Phal (with a purple center) Update

[Pilot]

I joined this board like so many others, having been given a new orchid, at a loss for how to care for it. And like so many, I had rotten roots and phals that looked like they'd join the big greenhouse in the sky.

But that was March 2009 and here we are in September and I wanted to thank and share with you all my success with my most successful orchid to date.

My "White Phal" is my favorite. Its such a strong plant yet the flowers are so delicate. And through the care and suggestions I found here it has managed to grow not one or two new leaves but 5 this season. It has also sent out an army of lush roots that are filling the pot. So here it is... (note the water damage on #3-- keep your crowns dry!!!!)



#5 is very small and has just been found by me but if it is anything like the other leaves, it'll grow out quickly. Total number of leaves is 9 on this phal. Looking forward to some awesome blooms this next season.

Also, as a treat, this is my other obsession-- Hippeastrum (aka Amaryllis). This one has a great name... it is H. 'Party Pooper' and is from the fine people of Maguire's Hippeastrum Farm in Australia. The bloom is about 8 inches wide.

[RosieC]

Wow, that Phal has done really well, great growing

I also came here looking for help with problem plants. Mine's not done as well as yours, but I've got a really good new leaf growing, and it's all thanks to the guys here.



I love the colour of the Hippeastrum. I have a red one with a white center (a NoID) which unfortunately fell over while in flower back in April. It broke the flower stem and damaged the leaves. It sulked for a while, then put out more leaves and I'm just starting to think about drying it off for the winter. It's a huge plant which spreads accros our kitchen windowledge with leaf tips touching the wall on both sides of the window.

[stefpix]

Looks great and healthy. I am a novice myself. could you sum up how you changed your culture protocol?
a brief summary how to get such good results is helpful to everyone!
tour hippeastrum looks great - where did you get the bulbs from?

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Wow, that Phal has done really well, great growing

I also came here looking for help with problem plants. Mine's not done as well as yours, but I've got a really good new leaf growing, and it's all thanks to the guys here.



I love the colour of the Hippeastrum. I have a red one with a white center (a NoID) which unfortunately fell over while in flower back in April. It broke the flower stem and damaged the leaves. It sulked for a while, then put out more leaves and I'm just starting to think about drying it off for the winter. It's a huge plant which spreads accros our kitchen windowledge with leaf tips touching the wall on both sides of the window.

Thanks Rosie-- but you know I didn't do anything special to get my phal to respond this way-- I think it happens to be a particularly aggressive cultivar. So you should be very proud of your phals recovery!!! How many phals are you up to??? I haven't counted mine-- just a guess I have about 10 now. The original three are all growing-- some well some just ok.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Looks great and healthy. I am a novice myself. could you sum up how you changed your culture protocol?
a brief summary how to get such good results is helpful to everyone!
tour hippeastrum looks great - where did you get the bulbs from?

Stefpix--

I can't really say how I changed my culture care because I was brand new to phals. However, all of my phals are in s/h. And the key to that success really is having the patience to make the switch when and only when there are new roots growing. Also, frequent watering with a weak fert seems to do well by the plants.

Consistency is the key, i believe.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Pilot

Thanks Rosie-- but you know I didn't do anything special to get my phal to respond this way-- I think it happens to be a particularly aggressive cultivar. So you should be very proud of your phals recovery!!! How many phals are you up to??? I haven't counted mine-- just a guess I have about 10 now. The original three are all growing-- some well some just ok.

I have 11 phals, one of which is a mini. When I came here last July I had one dying one and was just about to buy two more. I've somehow managed to avoid killing any yet, all due to the help of everyone here.

I also have 7 of other orchid types (Den, Paph, Masdy, Miltonia) I'm sure that as I get more and more adventurous in what I buy, it's only a matter of time before I succeed in killing some

[stefpix]

Are the S/H supplies expensive? it seems a good solution especially for someone that may have to go away a week or 2. can you use lava rock for S/H? any good thread/link to S/H basics?
thanks
stefano

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Are the S/H supplies expensive? it seems a good solution especially for someone that may have to go away a week or 2. can you use lava rock for S/H? any good thread/link to S/H basics?
thanks
stefano

Stefano--

No, sorry, I don't have any specific post but spent a ton of reading time on the s/h forum here on this board. You'll find loads of good things there and i suggest that is where you begin.

I'm not sure if lava rock can be used but I imagine it can be-- it seems like the same idea, just a slightly different material. Although I do know that hydroton will take up and release things like water and fert very differently. Though it is fired clay it doesn't seem to keep "stuff" from the water in it like some other material that are more absorbent might. You could always give the lava rock a try.

I use deli containers for my pots, which are free in many cases...and the hydroton I got for 15 dollars for a 10L bag (I think those measurements are correct). A bit more expensive than potting soil but hydroton is re-usable.

One thing I learnt in this experience is to not be afraid of losing a phal or orchid.... do what you can and then just leave it. Also, too much love is as bad as not enough. I've found my phals do a bit better when I don't bug them as much!

[stefpix]

Thanks -
I could try - anyway i mounted some closeout phals on discarded coconut husks i got for free. leaves/crown pointing kind of downwards - i like that look.
would not mind trying S/H... how many deli containers do you fill witha 10 L bag? do you use the tall ones or the smaller ones? Can get 3 or 5 of each for a dollar.
stefano

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Thanks -
I could try - anyway i mounted some closeout phals on discarded coconut husks i got for free. leaves/crown pointing kind of downwards - i like that look.
would not mind trying S/H... how many deli containers do you fill witha 10 L bag? do you use the tall ones or the smaller ones? Can get 3 or 5 of each for a dollar.
stefano

Actually, most of mine are sort of the in-between size. But my most successful phal, the one posted here, is in a rigid large container. Looking back it was probably too big for the plant but that is not the case now, as I'm having to coax the new roots into the container by hand. Not too many openings left in which a root may pass!