Phal producing smaller flowers?

[applemabel]

Just a question: Why does it seem that some flowers on my Phal are smaller than the other flowers? Is it because the flowers bloom bigger at the beginning of the spike?

I've noticed the further away from the plant, the smaller the flowers are... and the closer to the plant, the bigger the flowers.

Is that about right? I hope so lol because I thought that maybe I wasn't keeping them as happy but what can I complain if I'm a first time owner and I have a total of 21 flowers in bloom from two Phals.

I have another in buds, another growing a spike, one working on a leaf, another maturing, and another just about to bloom (Paph.)

[Ray]

Some of that is "normal", but the degree to which it happens is also part of the overall culture, with plants grown under close to "ideal" tending to display more uniform flowers.

[applemabel]

Good to know! It's not a huge difference but you can tell the flowers at the very end are slightly smaller.

I use a diluted fertilizer for Orchids from Miracle-Gro and another root stimulator that I just started using about two weeks ago from the greenhouse where I bought my two new Orchids. Diluted as well. She told me to alternate. One week plain water, next week fertilize, the next root stimulator, then start the cycle again with plain water.

On another note, since I started, I would get nothing but Phal's from our local hardware store (Lowe's) and got some pretty ones. But I just got my first Paph and it's going to bloom in a few days and I couldn't be more excited. lol

[silken]

Welcome to OB. It sounds like you are doing fine with your orchids. My Phals often have slightly smaller blooms further up the stem too. But I do find they enlarge somewhat in the first day or two after fully opening. So if you are looking at a newly opened one compared to the first ones, it may still enlarge and spread out a bit. I find the large flowered ones do this more than smaller blooms which all tend to stay more uniform.

[applemabel]

You know, I never thought of that! The smaller ones pretty much do stay the same. Although, I'm waiting on one of my mini Phals to start growing buds... it's growing the spike right now.

I usually don't like posting photos because I have to go to Photobucket, then upload them there, then get the URL and share it here. If anyone wants to add me on Facebook, you're more than welcome.

Mabel Zamarripa Gonzales | Facebook