Phal. Or Neo?

[Mikeg]

I plan on making a plant order...I don't want to spend too much. The neo is 9 bucks and the phal is 7. The order with both is 46 dollars without shipping. I think that is too much money so, I need help making the desicion between either getting a Phal Bastianii or a Neofinetia Falcata. What would you guys think? Thanks in advance!

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by Mikeg

I plan on making a plant order...I don't want to spend too much. The neo is 9 bucks and the phal is 7. The order with both is 46 dollars without shipping. I think that is too much money so, I need help making the desicion between either getting a Phal Bastianii or a Neofinetia Falcata. What would you guys think? Thanks in advance!

Do you have a local nursery? I'd try local first. I get the lure of ordering online if there is something very specific you want, but locally you'll find a good mix of orchids, too.

I have mostly phals but looooove neos too. I only have one, but I also have a neostylis and I grow both in vases and they look wonderful that way.

[phalaephila]

What are your growing conditions where you'd like to place the plant? That may help you decide.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I say Neo 'cause they're much easier than a Phal, in my opinion.

[camille1585]

LOL Philip, I was going to say Phal because IMO they're much easier than Neos!

But more seriously, I would pick the one most adapted to your growing conditions. The Phal will need warmer/more humid conditions than the Neo, and the Neo will need more light.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by camille1585

LOL Philip, I was going to say Phal because IMO they're much easier than Neos!

But more seriously, I would pick the one most adapted to your growing conditions. The Phal will need warmer/more humid conditions than the Neo, and the Neo will need more light.

I've always found how Neos tend to be easier to accommodate in a more arid and cooler climate than most Phals that like more humid and warmer conditions. The most problematic ones are the species of Phals that are from equatorial locations, such as Phal appendiculata, because they don't like large temperature swings between day and night and they don't experience a lot of seasonal variation. Stuff like Phal schilleriana, Phal stuartiana, Phal phillipinensis, and Phal x leucorrhoda are the easier ones. The only exception to the mottled leafed Phals being easy is Phal celebensis - this one's particular about how it likes being grown (mounted culture).

Neos grow much faster than Phals too. They recover quicker than a Phal would from cultural mistakes.

[orchidsamore]

I would expect the Neo to be a small seedling as the wholesale price of a 4 inch pot is more than this price.

Even a seedling Phal will flower sooner than the Neo, so use this in your decision. Neos grow very easy in baskets. I do not like trying them in pots.

[Mikeg]

I think I am gonna go with the Neo as I am plan on getting four other Phals with this order...And to clarify Jerry's statement, yes it is a seedling in a 2 inch pot. And Ryan...I live in a small town so I don't really have a local n ursery but the place i am ordering from is only a couple hour drive from my place...So I guess it could be considered local lol. Thanks for everybodies help in helping me make my decision!!