Low light Phalaenopsis

[weez1959]

Here are the pics of the two new ones. Not sure if they will stay there or end up on the kitchen windowsill, time will tell.

anyone know what they are, just said phal on the tag...

[slipperfreak]

The white/purple lip one looks like a Phal Barbara Thalhimer, and the candy stripe looks like a Phal New Stripes. However, I can't be 100% sure, because there are a ton of hybrids similar to both of these out there.

[weez1959]

Thanks Joe

Since they just got here a couple of days ago, should I be fertilizing (weakly weekly) or leave them be.

[RosieC]

They are great looking ones. But getting names for Phal hybrids can be almost impossible if they don't come with one. You may be able to say they look like another one, but there are many similar so it's imposible to tell.

I usually flush wish pure water the first time I bring a new Phal home, then start fertilising with the next watering. I never know what fertiliser it may have had before I got it and it can be good to flush with plain water on a monthly basis, so I start with that flush first.

[slipperfreak]

I like Rosie's policy for new purchases.

[weez1959]

thanks guys!

I went out and got 2 smaller orchids today, one mini phal. and a paph. no idea what color it is since it isn't in flower and the tag doesn't say, should I transplant that one, what it's growing in looks old, I'll post a pic later...

Did any of you have a chance to look at my link for a light meter?
Jeez I'm so needy!!

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by weez1959

thanks guys!

I went out and got 2 smaller orchids today, one mini phal. and a paph. no idea what color it is since it isn't in flower and the tag doesn't say, should I transplant that one, what it's growing in looks old, I'll post a pic later...

Did any of you have a chance to look at my link for a light meter?
Jeez I'm so needy!!

I repot all my new plants as soon as possible, especially Paphs, which like a fresh mix. I have never used a light meter so I wouldn't know how to help you there. It's something I'd like to get in the near future as well.

[RosieC]

If not in flower I repot soon after getting it. If it's in flower I often leave it until it finishes although it is proabably best to repot the ones in flower as well, but I don't want to loose the flowers so often risk it.

Like Joe, I've never used a light meter. I saw your thread but don't know anything about them.

[weez1959]

here's the 2 new ones and the old one in the white pot. I ordered pots and potting media so I will wait til they arrive and will wait til the flowers die down also.

[slipperfreak]

That pot is too big for the Paph. When you repot it (and I would recommend you do it ASAP), put it in a pot that the roots fit into snuggly. It will seem too small a pot for the plant, but trust me, Paphs prefer smaller pots. It's easy to rot them otherwise. That guy will probably need a 4" pot.

It also looks like it's potted a bit too high; you'll want to pot it so that the junction between leaves and roots is about 1/4" or so below the surface of the mix. Otherwise the new roots will dry out before they hit the medium, and stop growing.