What is a dendrobium phal type?

[Lilac]

I'm fairly new to orchid growing and have a few that had no tag when I bought them.

I'm curious to know what exactly is a Dendrobium Phal type? What are it's characteristics?

Thanks!

[Island Girl]

It's a Dendrobium that has flowers that look a lot like flowers from the Phalaenopsis genus. ...Tho, I'm not sure what species of Dendrobiums are used to make up the typical NOID big box store Phal-type Dendros...

As far as culture info, I'll let someone more experienced answer about that... I only have one, and have only had it about a year.

[WhiteRabbit]

Dendrobiums section Phalaenanthe (Den-phals)

http://www.staugorchidsociety.org/gallery36.htm

[Lilac]

Thank you Island Girl. Thank you White Rabbit.

What was worrying me was that since Phals and Dends have different light and watering requirements. How would I care for a 'Dend, Phal type".

I went to the St Augustine site and it seems that the name comes solely from how the blooms grow on the spike. In a Phalaenopsis pattern.

But the light and water requirements are the same as for Dends and not Phals.

So thank you guys. That site has a lot of great info. I'm bookmarking for future reference!

[Island Girl]

Yea, that site is really great! There's a pest/disease section, that has tons of pics, and prevention/cure advice, that is really helpful... If you didn't notice it

Basically, with Den-Phals, they like to be watered often, and dry out fast. So, depending on how frequently you would like to water (or, have time to water), use that info to adapt its cultural needs, to your conditions. ie. if you wanna water daily/every other day, use inorganic media (LECA, lava rock... etc - that dries out fast), if you'd rather water on more of a weekly basis (*your conditions r different than mine, so your mileage may vary on the timing of your watering*), then use bark, maybe with some sponge rock added to it as well.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Island Girl

Tho, I'm not sure what species of Dendrobiums are used to make up the typical NOID big box store Phal-type Dendros...

Den compactum and Den bigibbum (phalaenopsis) tend to be the most commonly used species from what I recall reading some time back -- though there are others as WR has indicated.

[Vanda lover]

I have mine in s/h in lava rock. They seam pretty happy

[Lilac]

Thanks guys! Always a pleasure coming to this site!))