Are phals hard to grow?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

Well it will be in a house.

Unless you live in the parts of Florida that doesn't snow; the southernmost parts of Texas (in a place where it doesn't snow), Louisiana, and Mississippi closest to the Gulf of Mexico, yes, you wouldn't be able to grow most Phals outdoors all year round. There are a few exceptions, and only under certain circumstances (if you'd like me to go further into this you may request that I do so, otherwise I will not continue on about this for now...). Most people grow Phals indoors in their house as a result.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

So around 78-80 in summertime, while 72 average in the wintertime.

So far, it sounds like your average home temperatures are within the Phalaenopsis' range of temperature tolerance. I'd still be aware of what the low end temperatures are...

Originally Posted by Tim P.

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.

You mean, you're trying to avoid getting water into such places as the crevices within the leaf axils, as well as the crown?

If that's the case, then you're correct in thinking this, as they don't like standing water in there.

In the wild, they don't grow upright (as I've stated in the sticky). They hang horizontally or pendulously off of tree trunks or branches. There is concrete evidence for this. The reason they grow in such a manner is because this growth orientation prevents too much water from entering into the crevices of the leaf axils and the crown. Due to the leaves pointing downwards towards the ground, it directs rainwater away from the leaf axils and crown and into the rock, ground, or swamp.

Also keep in mind that in the wild, if water does get into the leaf axils and crown, the open air and breezes can dry the water out rapidly before the stagnant water has a chance to do any significant damage to the plant. This is not necessarily the case at home.

Here's the proof. A disclaimer - these photos belong to other people, they're not mine. Here they are:

Phalaenopsis cornu cervi | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Video: Phalaenopsis in situ | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_F4h2El7hQQo/Sv...%203_thumb.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_F4h2El7hQQo/Sy...at%5B12%5D.jpg

Phalaenopsis sumatrana | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Phalaenopsis sumatrana | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Originally Posted by Tim P.

King, u r kindof scaring me....

I don't intend to, if it's any consolation my thoughts of the level of difficulty in growing Phals, is not always shared by other people. I tell it like how I perceive it, and my perception is based not just on my experience, but also on the fact that many people come to the OB asking similar questions that you ask regarding the cultivation of Phalaenopsis.

Originally Posted by Tim P.

Given what I have told you, do you think that I can grow one of these successfully, or should I forget about it?

Given what you have told me so far...

I think you could successfully grow a Phal in the given intended growing environment you mention.

The rest is up to your skill, experience, and knowledge of the genus Phalaenopsis.

As I have mentioned before, there are certain Phals that are sturdier and more forgiving than others. While I'm not terribly familiar with how sturdy or forgiving the specific hybrid you intend to get is, I do know how sturdy and forgiving the Phal species I recommended to you are, and they are fairly forgiving by Phalaenopsis standards.

So if you are truly intended on successfully growing Phals, why not try buying 1 specimen of the hybrid you wanted to get, and buy 1 specimen of Phal equestris. See which one you have an easier time with, and you decide. They are both reasonably priced. Why not?

Btw...

If you mess up with a Phal it's not like messing up with some of the rarer orchids in the trade. Phal hybrids are mass produced by the hundreds, if not thousands. There will not be a shortage of Phal hybrids. Phal species are also produced in quite large numbers as well, but production for species is not as large scale as hybrids are. Mass production of Phals have been going on for many, many years already. Some hobbyists have even bred their own line of Phal species or hybrids. The point in telling you this is so that you don't feel so bad if you make a mistake or if the mistake was made at the hands of others prior to you handling the plant.

Knowing the humidity of your growing area may also help in the future, particularly if your plants have buds coming along or if you're dealing with Phals that require higher humidity levels.

[Tim P.]

Thanks for all of your help!!! When I buy my phal I'm gunna get a paph too!!!!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You're welcome.

I'm not very versed with growing Paphs (Paphiopedilum), you will have to consult with others on the OB.

My thoughts on Paphs are that they are a much more diverse genus of orchid than Phals are. They have a slightly larger variation in the way they grow...

However...

If you really want another genus of orchid to try out other than Phals, I recommend Anacheilium cochleatum (aka Encyclia cochleata) or Anacheilium radiatum (aka Encyclia radiata). Both are easy to grow (much easier to grow than Paphs imo), easy to bloom, have interestingly beautiful flowers, and are also very fragrant. I also think that you may have strong enough lighting to grow these.

[Leafmite]

Hey, don't worry. Phals aren't all that difficult. Just give them a medium that won't suffocate the roots. I grow mine in lava rock, clay pots, and this gives the roots the air they need. Bark with a net pot would also be great. Your household conditions sound perfect. They like bright but not direct light and, yes, don't get water on the leaves or in the crown. If you do, just dry them with tissue or use a fan to dry them. Good luck!
Leafmite

[fishmommy]

That paph is going to want to be wetter than the phal.

good luck!

[Strider 60]

King of Orchids, I'm a newbie and I received a Phal as a gift so the choice was not mine, most of the lit. I have read recomends the Phal as a great beginner, I also know that alot of the lit. gives conflicting info but if not the Phal then what do you suggest is the best to start with? By the way, mine is doing great, two spikes with lots of blooms and the spikes are still growing.

[camille1585]

I tend to disagree about Phals not being beginner orchids. Easy is a relative term. IMO, Phals are good beginner orchids if you don't get the ones with pots full of crappy sphag and if you are aware of the basic cultural requirements. Maybe their reputation for being difficult is because nearly everyone starts off with a Phal, and it's inexperience that will often kill it.

[Strider 60]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I tend to disagree about Phals not being beginner orchids. Easy is a relative term. IMO, Phals are good beginner orchids if you don't get the ones with pots full of crappy sphag and if you are aware of the basic cultural requirements. Maybe their reputation for being difficult is because nearly everyone starts off with a Phal, and it's inexperience that will often kill it.

I agree, my Phal noID has worked for me as a beginner, it was properly potted in bark, some I have seen were packed very tight with sphag. When I repotted the roots were healthy with only a small number of bad that I removed. So far it's thriving so I purchased a Phal violacea v. Malaysia seedling to work with, it too is doing well

[Paul Mc]

I have to agree that phal's can be one of the easier orchids to deal with but may not be the easiest, and of course that easy is a relative term.

In the scheme of things, start with a cheap NOID from home depot or lowes. That way if you lose it you haven't spent a lot of money. That's how I started, and how the addiction began. Now I'm up to 55 orchids, some easy, some not so easy.

For me, it was more of a cost/benefit analysis. I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something I couldn't grow.

Just a thought.

I am not an experienced orchid grower and killed my share of noid phals. I found that they are extremely easy if you:
a) start with healthy plant (mostly healthy roots)
b) use see-through pot to control watering.
Once I realized this, I got quite successfull with them.
I am now even planning to order a batch of named species seedlings to try and nurse them to flowering.
Good luck with your plants.