Try growing a seedling or two of the famed indigo violaceas from the Nortons...


Definitely not easy and the patience of Job is needed.:lol:

My thoughts are that Phals are generally not the easiest of orchids to grow for most people.

It's partially because of inexperience and partially due to some misinformation. There are more factors too, but these two are the major crux of it.

Once you figure out the truth and gain a little experience, you can work towards success.

But also, as Royal has stated, part of the experience is making adjustments to get your cultivation techniques down in order to meet the needs of the plants.

It's a process.


Should you decide to try out a Phal that might be easier to grow, I'd recommend the following:

Phal philippinensis
Phal schilleriana
Phal stuartianta

I think it all depends on your conditions.

Phals are easy for me because my light, temps and humidity all suit them. If I don't have time to attend to all my orchids then it's the Phals that I ignore because I know they can cope with it.

For example I water my Phals about once a week, but if they acidentily go two or more weeks they will cope, they won't be happy but they will cope. However if my Masdie was to be allowed to dry out that much it would have far more of a problem.

However if you live in the conditions that suit other types of orchids then they will probably be the easiest ones for you. There has been a discussion here before that some people thing Zygo's are the easiest... but I've nearlly killed mine. It all depends on you and on your surroundings as to what you will find easiest.

Speaking of which...

How's your Zygo?

Still alive, thanks for asking. The two original p-bulbs (one large and one quite tiny) broke apart last time I repotted BUT both of them have new growths and roots. It's now in S/H and seems to like it. The growths are very slow progressing (especially the one on the small p-bulb) but they are growing and the roots are also growing so I still have hope for it.

Phals became easy for me when I switched out all of my plants in moss for bark. I guess that says as much about me as it does about my phals.

I forgot to mention that Phal equestris is a pretty easy one to grow as are Doritis pulcherrhima.

I think most of us find bark easier to manage than moss, especially for Phals. :)

As Willliam Shakespear once said..." Lilies that fester smell far worse than weeds."