Mini Phal?

[TheScarletteOrchid]

Originally Posted by lauraeli

Thanks guys! I have the Miracle Gro Orchid mix- it is the 'coarse mix' and it is all bark. The pieces look too big for my mini. Should I break them up? Or pick out the smaller pieces?

For now i think I will do as suggested and loosen the moss.

As far as the tape goes, it seems a little silly I guess, but I just thought it might be a good idea to tape it just until it callouses over. For support. I do that when I break a stem on my other plants...sometimes I think it helps. Other times not. Plants do heal themselves though. They will thicken the tissue around a break. Ive seen it on spider plants and spathiphyllum, for instance. Not sure about orchids.

Hey! I have the same bark mix as you do! In mine though, there's a lot of dirt. So its not totally bark mix and i have to clean it up a lil before use it for potting. I mix it in with some moss so it can retain moisture, but not a whole lot because I don't want it to cause rot root like it did in the planter pot it first came in.

[Cntry]

Originally Posted by greysister23

I broke down and bought a "mini" Phal at lowes this afternoon lol. I couldn't stop thinking about it. And I got an orange with purple/pink vein NoID for $3 because it was ALMOST out of bloom

I didn't think it would take you to long before you would be getting a few more orchids. Its a addiction we all love.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Cntry

I didn't think it would take you to long before you would be getting a few more orchids. Its a addition we all love.

OMG no, Greysister! You did not "break down," you did not capitulate to anything negative! You are feeling more entitled to CELEBRATE what is meant to be CELEBRATED.

No mea culpas, I expunge you of all unjustified guilt!

This all is the opposite of being some pitiable slave to commerce and cache re feeling you have to carry a Hermes purse, OK?

ENJOY!!!!!

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by JMNYC

OMG no, Greysister! You did not "break down," you did not capitulate to anything negative! You are feeling more entitled to CELEBRATE what is meant to be CELEBRATED.

No mea culpas, I expunge you of all unjustified guilt!

This all is the opposite of being some pitiable slave to commerce and cache re feeling you have to carry a Hermes purse, OK?

ENJOY!!!!!

What's wrong with another hobby? I grow african violets, orchids, and a lot of miscellaneous houseplants, plus I am starting an ant farm. I also own bettas. Hobbies are a nice way to relax.

Especially being surrounded by the very high-energy beings often referred to as 'children'.

My plants dont yell, or fight with eachother, or refuse to eat their dinner. They dont demand snacks at bedtime, and get up to pester me 5 times after 'lights out'.

They just relax, look beautiful, and reach towards the sun. All the while giving me clean air and oxygen to breathe. Plants are good people. :-) We can all use 'just one more'.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by lauraeli

What's wrong with another hobby? I grow african violets, orchids, and a lot of miscellaneous houseplants, plus I am starting an ant farm. I also own bettas. Hobbies are a nice way to relax.

Especially being surrounded by the very high-energy beings often referred to as 'children'.

My plants dont yell, or fight with eachother, or refuse to eat their dinner. They dont demand snacks at bedtime, and get up to pester me 5 times after 'lights out'.

They just relax, look beautiful, and reach towards the sun. All the while giving me clean air and oxygen to breathe. Plants are good people. :-) We can all use 'just one more'.

All of the above, exaclty what I was trying to say! And, I never thing of such as "hobbies".....I think of them as privileged passions, both thrilling and humbling. It's all good! Never some need to mitigate, forget apologize....just celebrate the infinite journey!

[lauraeli]

Is it normal for another leaf to start growing before the last one is done growing?

[RandomGemini]

I've seen that happen in a couple of my mini phals.

[lauraeli]

Alrighty. Just checking. Glad it's happy :-)

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

I've seen that happen in a couple of my mini phals.

I as well! And sometimes, not just the minis, sometimes those closer to species than the average hybrid.

[RandomGemini]

I only have the one species Phal. It's slow grower for me, puts out a new leaf about every six months. The hybrids tend to be more vigorous growers.