How to grow phals...

[Tim P.]

I have killed one phal because of crown rot, bought it not knowing it and then it showed up... then the first one that i got (1 out of 2) had a disease on it and it also died...

am i having a really bad case of luck here? im really dissapointed... i really want to grow an phal orchid like Kelidescope.

The only access i have to orchids is Walmart pretty much so I what should I do? How should i take care of a phal and is walmart ok? should i just forget an orchid all together ?


first orchid was a whtie just add ice, second was a Sin Yuan Golden Beauty, stinking expencive!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This might help: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

[WhiteRabbit]

Awww - don't give up! I was a serial Phal killer in the past
Water early in the day if possible, so if any water gets in the crown it has a chance to dry out before night - but try to avoid getting water in the crown. If you do get water in the crown, use the corner of a paper towel to blot it up, and/or use a straw to blow the water out. If I get water in the crown of a plant that is well established in it's pot, especially if weather is cool and damp, I leave it lying sideways for several hours - overnight. Some people pot their Phals 'sideways', or mount them with the crown facing down.

I usually killed my Phals by over-watering. Now I let the media just get dry in between waterings. I have a bamboo skewer (like for kabobs) in the pots/media to determine when the media is dry (pull skewer out, touch to cheek or upper lip, to test for moisture) - clear pots have also been helpful - when roots are no longer green, but rather silvery or white, then it can be watered.

[trdyl]

Don't give up easily. It took me a while to get the hang of growing them. But to be truthful, Walmart Phals are usually not the best to start with. Mainly because most people taking care of them at Walmart have no idea what their needs are so it is very possible to wind up with a plant with rotted roots in short order. You are better off ordering a plant from an orchid nursery. Phals are relatively inexpensive depending on what you want. You can easily get a blooming size plant for between $20 to $30.

[cbennett4041]

I just started growing orchids a few months ago, but I've had good luck with my phals so far. I've even brought a few back from dying, seemingly.

I actually just bought three Phals today at Aldi's, believe it or not. I only bring them up because they are AWESOME. Clear, well drained pots, and absolutely no rotted roots that I could see. And the really good parts? 3 for $30.

These plants came from Mid American Orchids... though I know not where that is. I think they are relatively fresh from the grower.

If you can find those, or have an Aldi's close, they are worth looking for. I know they are an off shoot seasonal thing, so you might have to have some luck to find them. Or another venue.