The Phal abuse ends here.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

I dont have the plants anymore due to the fact that they died...

Should i get a new one or not? and how can i improve my orchids lifespan to the expectancy of mine

I really hated it when i lost my "golden beauty"

You can get another one if you like. Now that you know where one source of information on how to grow them is, you can see if you can apply what you find.

Of course, you can also try another group of orchids, you just have to make sure your growing environment accommodates the plant's needs.

I think that Epidendrums are pretty hardy compared to Phals, as are Cattleyas and Laelias.

It's really up to you.

[Tim P.]

I was in the understanding that the phalaenopsis was the easiest orchid to grow?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

I was in the understanding that the phalaenopsis was the easiest orchid to grow?

Somewhere in this thread I mention that my thoughts on what you mention about Phals being easy to grow is not entirely accurate.

While I do think that certain types of Phals are easier to grow than others, generally speaking, I don't think they're the easiest to grow out of the many different kinds of orchids available in the hobby. But do keep in mind that I also don't think they're the most difficult orchids to grow when compared to some other groups of orchids either.

I think you will start to understand the difficulties related to growing a Phalaenopsis once you read this thread from the very beginning. This particular thread will also hopefully dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about growing Phals as well.

I highly recommend taking the time to read this thread.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This thread is long because there is a lot of information in it. A large majority of this thread is information, not questions from other members. Questions from other members regarding Phalaenopsis culture is a relatively small portion of this thread.

[Johnnyb]

I have actually had more difficulty growing phals. I have found that Oncd. or Brsdm. are easy for me. This may be my watering style. I live in Michigan, so outdoor growth is limited. I currently have about 50 phals, and 25 Brsdm. and Oncd. outside on my patio. Its very shaded, the light they get is for about an hour first thing in the morning. They plants are so happy outside I wish the weather would stay like this year round. I have more spikes growing now than I can count. I would be happy to ship some of my phals or Brsdm. and Oncdm. if I had some good instructions on how to do that? I have never done it, but would be open to suggestions. My phals I have been selling for $5/ea if not in bloom and $10 if in bloom. I can post some pictures later, I will sneak out and get some in a little bit so you can see how big some of the plants are.

- John

[silken]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

I was in the understanding that the phalaenopsis was the easiest orchid to grow?

You should take King's advice and read this entire thread. It will give you a lot of insight into phals and the various problems and how to deal with them. From my own experience, you can get some lovely phals from Walmart and there is nothing wrong with them. However, the most important thing to do to ensure that they live, is this: As soon as you bring it home, slide it out of it's pot and if there is a mass of sphagnum moss in the centre of the root ball, remove a large portion of it. Most of these box store phals (and sometimes flower shops too) come with a soaking wet wad of moss in the centre, surrounded by looser moss. As you are caring for your plant, you will think the moss is dry and its time to water. Meanwhile in the centre up near the crown and in the middle of the roots, the moss is wet and causing rot. Remove a lot of that to loosen it up and make sure it is in a pot with good drainage. If its in a decorative pot, it should have drainage and not be able to sit in water. Doing this will be a large first step in keeping your phal alive.

[Queenslander]

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.

Philip. Could you tell me what this Phal. is mounted on? I have a Phal. Cassandra Alba whose leaves are dying, roots seem okay.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't know what kind of wood it is. I didn't collect or specifically buy the wood, it came with orchids I ordered.

I put coconut fiber around the wood, and put the roots on top.

This particular guy is mounted in the way I described above, but they're grown in a humid environment for tropical snakes. It kinda helps to have the wood wicking up some moisture from the bottom of the tank.

Btw, the Phal that I showed didn't make it. I made a mistake and broke off the new leaf when I tried to put another set of orchids in the tank and it toppled right on top of the Phal.

So another lesson to learn is, don't break a newly emerging leaf coming out of the crown, they will die.

I kinda expected the outcome to happen the way it did when the accident occurred, it was mentioned during my training session while I was working at an orchid nursery...

Again...

Break the newly emerging leaf coming out of the crown and the Phal is going to Phal heaven.

Why?

It's because the newly emerging leaf is still part of the meristem hidden within the petioles of the Phal. Dead meristem, dead plant.


I also think this guy didn't make it because of a second reason...

It didn't have enough energy to make a new set of leaves for a second comeback. :/


The other individual is doing just fine though. Just made a new leaf bigger than the last one. Winning!

[Lil_flame33]

I'm a begginner and I buy my phals at lowes because of their 1 year guarantee. If I kill the plant within 1 year I can return it! lol! It's the greatest thing ever!
I try to keep them alive but my thumb is only yellow lol!

[greenpassion]

I don't have my phals on window sills, I have them on an island counter, with track lighting about 3ft above them. They finished blooming a few weeks ago, (I bought them in full bloom from Home Depot) The bulbs are regular 'grow' bulbs for plants, in track lighting heads, which are on 8 to 10 hrs a day.