Are phals hard to grow?

[fishmommy]

that sounds pretty good. how is it different from what you did before that didn't work?

that's a nice selection - and OBH is a good vendor

[Tim P.]

Well I don't think that I personally did much wrong. I originally bought one from walmart and had a brown thing on the base of the plant that was sunk in. It died after I gave it to my sis. I recieved a different one from a greenhouse, they obviously watered it wrong because within a few weeks it developed crown rot, witch I know wasn't due to me, I watered it only once, and was finicky about where the water was going. After my first two mishaps it just seems as if they are difficult. I'm kindof scared of killing a new one. do u think I will have a fighting chance with a descent one?

[fishmommy]

I think you certainly have a fighting chance, especially now that you've got this board behind you every step of the way

post lots of pics!

[fishmommy]

I like to use clear plastic pots for my phals so I can monitor the moisture level inside the pot. Dunno if you were planning to do that or not but I recommend it.

[Strider 60]

Phals can be easy to grow, it boils down to matching their native cultur as close as possible, if your heavy with watering then a clear pot and/or the skewer method of monitoring water amounts might be best. I have found that they are alot tougher than most give them credit for. That doesn't mean you can ignore them, give them the proper humidity, fert amount, light levels and water and they'll reward you in return

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

I will water it with reverse osmosis...

That's fine.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

[I will water it] only when the roots turn silverish...

Ok, you're on the right track...

Originally Posted by Tim P.

...[I will water it] about once a week on average.

Depending on how fast the roots dry out, the frequency by which you water the plant may vary.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

It will be placed in a south window, but in filtered light.

I'd watch if the Phal develops a reddish-violet anthocyanin tint to the leaves. That is a sign of the light being too strong.

Worse case scenario is that it will rapidly develop signs of sunburn without any prior warnings.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

I will be buying an orchid from Welcome to Orchids By Hausermann On-Line Orchid catalog....

The vendor is reputable, I have only gotten 1 orchid from them and I have no complaints. Others on the OB have good things to say about them as well.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

...and it is a hybrid.

That's fine. But do know that just because the Phal you intend to get is a hybrid, doesn't necessarily automatically make it "bulletproof" because of it's breeding.

Whether you prefer hybrids over species is up to you. There are certainly very many wonderful hybrids to choose from.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

Here is the link. What do u think...?

Phal. K. V. Beauty '5701' IN SPIKE: Orchids By Hausermann

I think how the plant will look once it's in bloom is beautiful.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

...and what do u think about the plant itself?

If you're asking whether I think this particular hybrid is hardy...

My answer would have to be - tell us more about your growing area.

Do you happen to know the day and night temperatures of your intended growing area?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

I originally bought one from Walmart and had a brown thing on the base of the plant that was sunk in.

Are you able to give a better, more specific description of what that "brown thing on the base of the plant that was sunk in" was?

Originally Posted by Tim P.

I recieved a different one from a greenhouse, they obviously watered it wrong because within a few weeks it developed crown rot, which I know wasn't due to me, I watered it only once...

You're right, it wasn't you...

Originally Posted by Tim P.

...and was finicky about where the water was going.

I don't understand what you mean by this.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

After my first two mishaps it just seems as if they are difficult.

I'm of the opinion that generally speaking, Phals are not the best orchids for total beginners.

I think that they can be good candidates for hobbyists who are in the transition phase of getting out of the beginners level and going into the intermediate level.

I also think that there are other groups of orchids that are more forgiving than Phals are to mistakes, and would therefore make them better candidates for a total newbie.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

I'm kindof scared of killing a new one. do u think I will have a fighting chance with a descent one?

With a healthy specimen, people who are able to provide the plant with the proper growing environment and are willing to take care of the orchid will have a fighting chance.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

And I also plan on growing it in a bark mix.

That's a fine choice.

[Tim P.]

Well it will be in a house. So around 78-80 in summertime, while 72 average in the wintertime. About "being finicky with the water" I meant that I made sure it wasn't going in the wrong places in the least amount of way.

King, u r kindof scaring me.... Given what I have told you, do you think that I can grow one of these successfully, or should I forget about it?

[tucker85]

When we buy phals they are often in tiny plastic pots with almost no drainage and tightly packed sphagnum moss. It's confunsing for the new grower because in the home environment that type of culture will almost never be successful. In fact it's almost the complete opposite of how to grow phals. I found that the more I try to get air to the roots, the better my phals grow. For me that means a loose medium with lots of spaces for air to get in and pots with lots of slots or holes for drainage and air. The plastic pots with the raised bottom like the air cones and some others are particularly good I think. I also let the medium dry out almost completely between waterings but never stay dry for long. Good luck.