What do you guys think about this phal?

[Tim P.]

Btw. I know that hausermann ships their orchids in black or green pots. Not clear. Also in sphag. How am I to tell when to water? I plan on repotting ASAP into bark and a clear pot, because that is what my one orchid right now seems to be doing well In. ( at least it hasnr died yet the roots are growin on the tips Wich is a good sign along with two new leaves coming out yay. I may be a good orchid grower after all

[Wrebbitrocks]

look at my avatar!!! i LOVED this plant so much. it was always so vigorous and was very easy to grow for me. even with less than perfect culture. i had it outside under my porch. it got morning sun until about 11am east facing and shade the rest of the day. i grew it in moss and was always consistantly moist. it liked the drop of temp in autumn and it sent up a spike. it got killed by a sudden freeze in winter, but otherwise wouldve been my strongest plant. you will looove it. i especially like the beautiful yellow and crimson striping in the lip <3 enjoy

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

Btw. I know that hausermann ships their orchids in black or green pots. Not clear. Also in sphag. How am I to tell when to water? I plan on repotting ASAP into bark and a clear pot, because that is what my one orchid right now seems to be doing well In. ( at least it hasnr died yet the roots are growin on the tips Wich is a good sign along with two new leaves coming out yay. I may be a good orchid grower after all

I'd use a skewer or wood chopstick in the media

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Tim P.

You guys twisted my arm enough I think I'll buy it along with a maudiae paph. I'll prob kill the paph... Anything new seems to go that way. Got a new car that got it's windshield sandblasted the other day by a truck my luck. I'll just need to research

yikes - sorry to hear about your car
just remember, water the Paph before the media is dry - I've also read that they should be repotted annually

[Merlyn]

Different strokes . . . I keep all my 24 Phals in sphag. In pots 4.5" and larger I mix in approx 20 - 40% bark or leca. I let the sphag get crunchy on top before I water. I've tried EVERYTHING that came along, Cocoanut Husk Chips, Bark & sponge rock, even Aussie Gold but nothing did as well as sphag IN MY ENVIRONMENT with MY CULTURE TECHNIQUE. I'm not about to change what works for me and if you have found what works for you in your environment with your culture, stick with it. The ONLY time I would try anything new is if I wasn't doing so hot with my current technique ! That's one of the hardest things to learn ! "Grows like a weed" for one person will die like a rock for another !!!

[Daethen]

I agree that it is not a bad price for that plant. It is gorgeous and Hausermans is a great grower. I also agree with Merlyn on grow with what works for you. I have my small phals in sphag and they do great. My larger ones are in bark mix and they are also doing wonderful in that. My larger ones don't seem to like the moss. The paph is not that much different in culture than the phals. It is a good next step if you are doing ok with phals.

[Eyebabe]

I heard a funny remark from at our Orchid Society meeting today from one of our members who mounts all of his plants...he said that a pot might as well be a casket in his hands

I agree we all may start out using the same type of "potting mix" but eventually, we use whatever works for us

[myblue66stang]

My first phal was an anniversary gift, so it was "free". However, the love for chids is SO not free. The most I ever paid was $30. That's only because it was a bright and cheery flower during the gloomy Michigan winter. My hubby just shakes his head now when a newbie arrives.

[marydaniellesantos]

Well I can tell you I've bought an orchid in the store for my mother-in-laws birthday that was in bud/bloom. And it was $40. So I would say $30 isn't bad, especially since it's so pretty and will give you weeks of pleasure. So it's up to you, and how much you are willing to put into it. Is this going to be your second orchid?

[marydaniellesantos]

Originally Posted by myblue66stang

My hubby just shakes his head now when a newbie arrives.

I think that happens to the best of us!