The Phal abuse ends here.

[Sekhmet]

I have to say, my Phals have been bomb proof! I have 6, one of which I have had for 7 years! And I have lived in all kinds of not perfect places, ranging from way dry and over-bright Arizona to super humid, super dim Seattle. I just smack them up on an east facing window in medium bark, flood them weekly with weak fertilizer (I really do, 15 minute soak once a week all year!) and mist only if the humidity gets too low. They reliably bloom for me. I don't know if it is just dumb luck, my conditions are better than I think (I only have a light meter I bought last year, and no other instruments), or my phals love me, but thus far, nothing but love.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I decided to post these 3 photos next to each other to show the sequence of events for a Phal that has lost its leaves. Normally this species of Phal is an evergreen Phal, but it had dropped its leaves due to heavy damage that it received.

I realize photos like these are rather rare on the internet, and that most people have never seen something like this before. So here it is making its recovery by growing 2 new leaves.

[Jeffery]

Originally Posted by Sekhmet

I have to say, my Phals have been bomb proof! I have 6, one of which I have had for 7 years! And I have lived in all kinds of not perfect places, ranging from way dry and over-bright Arizona to super humid, super dim Seattle. I just smack them up on an east facing window in medium bark, flood them weekly with weak fertilizer (I really do, 15 minute soak once a week all year!) and mist only if the humidity gets too low. They reliably bloom for me. I don't know if it is just dumb luck, my conditions are better than I think (I only have a light meter I bought last year, and no other instruments), or my phals love me, but thus far, nothing but love.

I wish I could have some of your dumb luck, I sure have lost some very nice Phals, I looked at some the other day that I liked a lot, but I turned head and walked away

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

@ Jefferey: You ever considered growing species?

I recommend these as good beginner's Phals:

Phal equestris
Phal philippinensis
Phal schilleriana
Phal stuartiana

[Jeffery]

Originally Posted by Jeffery

I have not been here for a while, but still love the Orchids. Once a very proud owner of some very beautiful Phals, my current number now is a big fat 0, all my other none Phals are growing very nice, but it just blows my mind the claim of Phals being the easiest Orchid to grow has eluded me. I have tried keeping them in there original potting material, changing them over to a faster drying medium, added this, added that, took away this and to no avail, I failed miserably, the roots either rotted or dried out, I would move them from one window to the next depending on where I thought they would get the best lighting, I have used a moisture testing device and still failure. I use to think I was such a Mr. Greenthumbs, man was I wrong.

I failed to mention that I also killed 2 Milts

[Jeffery]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

@ Jefferey: You ever considered growing species?

I recommend these as good beginner's Phals:

Phal equestris
Phal philippinensis
Phal schilleriana
Phal stuartiana

hhhmm! I don't think so, I believe all the plants except a few were all Noids << I hope thats right. The plants that done very well with me is Paph species, Oncda, Phrag and the Dend. all went out of bloom this winter so I am waiting to see yet if I get my first rebloom.

[silken]

Jeffrey, have you considered joining an orchid society? You would meet people who are doing well growing the orchids you want to grow. Most people are very helpful and they would be growing in the same climate and humidity as you. You could get a feel for what those people are doing that would help your chances of success. It's a wealth of knowledge and camaraderie.

[florafan]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I decided to post these 3 photos next to each other to show the sequence of events for a Phal that has lost its leaves. Normally this species of Phal is an evergreen Phal, but it had dropped its leaves due to heavy damage that it received.

I realize photos like these are rather rare on the internet, and that most people have never seen something like this before. So here it is making its recovery by growing 2 new leaves.

My problem is the opposite - all the roots are gone, the leaves are slowly wilting, and I am there breathing on the poor plant hoping for roots to grow!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Jeffery

I failed to mention that I also killed 2 Milts

True Miltonias or Miltoniopsis?

If I can grow Miltoniopsis outdoors all year round here in the city of Rosemead, you can grow them in the city of Glendale, (we're only 18 miles apart from each other within Los Angeles County). In other words climate shouldn't be an issue for you.

[calypsoB]

To the King- Csn you please tell me how you did this? The roots look phenominal! I have one phal heading down a bad road that I would love to save!