New owner looking for advice/IDing her orchids! - Orchid Board

dawnchorus · #1 10-20-2013, 12:46 PM

Hello all,

I hope I have the right place please advise me if I am wrong.

I have two questions really! Firstly I have three Orchids that I am very proud of.... but they're all supermarket rescues (I like to call them rescues as I feel I am saving them) and I have no idea what type of Orchid they are.. I think (or i'm assuming) they are Phals as that seems to be the only thing supermarkets sell but if anyone was able to assist me in narrowing this down? I don't think I am allowed to post pictures yet as this is my first post but I will get some up when I can..

One of them is growing a flower spike for me already (I am like a proud mother) and the second seems to be passing along merrily (although you may advise me differently) but my newest adoption seems like it may need a little encouragement to get to full strength.

I have looked through the VERY long Phal sticky topic as much as I can and will try and give you as much info as possible... I have noticed a few roots that are looking healthy with a nice dark tip on the end. but it has a bundle of medusa like roots that seem to be drying and browning. The leaves are looking a little better than when I bought it.. they are quite a green but with a very slight tinge of yellow in the centre and around the edge. It is full of buds at the moment and they all seem healthy enough.

Any advice/tips/help would be greatly appreciated! I am hopefully going to be the owner of a leopard orchid in the coming months also!

Many Thanks

D x

jeremyinsf · #2 10-20-2013, 01:05 PM

Welcome to the board!

Phals are the common ones in supermarkets, yes. Sometimes there are others as well. After five posts on the board, you can post pictures. If you are already getting a spike, yes, you should be a proud mother!

Do you know what kind of pot and media they are in now? Moss, or bark, etc?

cbuchman · #3 10-20-2013, 01:12 PM

Welcome! Make some more posts and you'll be able to post pictures.I would assume that you have Phals since that is the usual supermarket offering. It will probably not be possible to identify them further than that as there are so many Phals out there. We usually call these NOIDs (for no ID) and love them just as much as our pedigreed orchids!

Nanook 2010 · #4 10-20-2013, 01:32 PM

So what are your questions?

I think they are:

1. Help in identification
2. How to grow?

Check out the American Orchid Society web page...lots if great info and videos from experts

dawnchorus · #5 10-20-2013, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyinsf

Welcome to the board!

Phals are the common ones in supermarkets, yes. Sometimes there are others as well. After five posts on the board, you can post pictures. If you are already getting a spike, yes, you should be a proud mother!

Do you know what kind of pot and media they are in now? Moss, or bark, etc?

Thank you!

Yes they are all in clear plastic pots and in what I think is bark? Or at least it looks a lot like bark... Two of them are then sat in white ceramic pots and one of them is in a misted glass pot. They get watered approx every 7-10 days

---------- Post added at 05:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:40 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbuchman

Welcome! Make some more posts and you'll be able to post pictures.I would assume that you have Phals since that is the usual supermarket offering. It will probably not be possible to identify them further than that as there are so many Phals out there. We usually call these NOIDs (for no ID) and love them just as much as our pedigreed orchids!

Aw well I shall show you pictures of my mutt Orchids when I am allowed so you can see them anyway and if they are NOIDs I will love them all the same

EricaMarie · #6 10-20-2013, 04:33 PM

I have been surprised lately with some of the supermarket and chain store offerings in phals. I have seen a few unique ones that I cannot find a similar one online. I found a striped/variegated phal at Lowes and was thrilled as even my local orchid grower doesnt have these. Sometimes they sneak a few nice ones in with the mass of regulars. Cant wait to see the pics of your babies!

dawnchorus · #7 10-20-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricaMarie

I have been surprised lately with some of the supermarket and chain store offerings in phals. I have seen a few unique ones that I cannot find a similar one online. I found a striped/variegated phal at Lowes and was thrilled as even my local orchid grower doesnt have these. Sometimes they sneak a few nice ones in with the mass of regulars. Cant wait to see the pics of your babies!

The few I have are the ones that looked the most unusual to me in the shops but after spending a few hours nosing through this forum they seem very simple!! May have to invest in a couple more in the future...

Bill U. · #8 10-20-2013, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawnchorus

The few I have are the ones that looked the most unusual to me in the shops but after spending a few hours nosing through this forum they seem very simple!! May have to invest in a couple more in the future...

It is true that there are a ton of different varieties of orchids and some of them have some absolutely wild color-combinations! My advice is to buy what you like and what you can take care of.

PS- welcome to the world of orchid addicts- once you start, it's nearly impossible to stop!

EricaMarie · #9 10-20-2013, 06:08 PM

Oh this is a dangerous place if you want a short wish list. LOL. I love the ones I have, but there is always something new that you havent seen. The only thing holding me back is $$ and space.

dounoharm · #10 10-20-2013, 08:04 PM

sounds like you are doing well with them....just make sure there is good drainage in the pots you have them in....stores are notorious for selling them in lovely ceramic pots with absolutely no drainage holes, lol....certain death for orchids! good luck!