Phal equestris

[lauraeli]

I cant find a lot of info on this one. I came across some pictures of it, though, and I really like it. Does anybody have experience/pictures,info on it? Is it good for a beginner?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Perfect for a beginner. Very forgiving. Very easy to bloom.

Intermediate to warm growing (55 F - 95 F).

Bright shade to the low end of moderately bright indirect light.

Moderate humidity is fine (60% - 80%).

Moderate air circulation.

Allow a brief dry out period between waterings. By brief, I mean no more than 1 day.

[lauraeli]

What might be a good way to acquire one?

[quiltergal]

First you need to decide which form you like. Some here *cough* are trying for one of each. 😉 I have f. aurea (white flower w/yellow lip), cultivar 'Orange' ( light pink flower w/orangish lip), and #B100 (dark pink flower with a rounder form). There is also standard (medium pink flower with white edging), alba (white flower & lip with a touch of yellow at the callus) & cyanochilus (white flower w/lavender/blue lip). There are others too. I know Peter at Big Leaf has #B100, and he may have aurea also.

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

First you need to decide which form you like. Some here *cough* are trying for one of each. 😉 I have f. aurea (white flower w/yellow lip), cultivar 'Orange' ( light pink flower w/orangish lip), and #B100 (dark pink flower with a rounder form). There is also standard (medium pink flower with white edging), alba (white flower & lip with a touch of yellow at the callus) & cyanochilus (white flower w/lavender/blue lip). There are others too. I know Peter at Big Leaf has #B100, and he may have aurea also.

I like all of them :-) but I suppose if I had to choose, the white one as well as 'orange' catch my eye.

Well...now Im editing because Im looking at them again. I like them all! Don't make me choose!! :-(

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

A lot of nurseries carry this species.

You can try Oak Hill Gardens as well, (Oak Hill Gardens).

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

A lot of nurseries carry this species.

You can try Oak Hill Gardens as well, (Oak Hill Gardens).

OMG! They are only 40 miles from here! How did you know? (O_O) And to think, my hubby is only 7 mins from there, right now, working...

I shouldnt...I shouldnt go there! How many orchids will make me buy them!!!! This is bad! This is very bad...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

ESP maybe? Idk.

Maybe some day check them out.

[lauraeli]

I went to Oak Hill Gardens :-) (Orchids Garden Center and Nursery) Oh it was heaven in there <3 They had the teeny tiniest orchids! Maybe the size of a quarter. And blooming, too. I wanted to bring one home! But I didnt know how to care for them. I was good, I only left with two orchids :-) Meet the new babies- Phal equestris (in spike), and Phal schilleriana. Only ten dollars a piece.

[VMStearns]

Lauraeli, I want to encourage you to consider micro-miniature orchids in the future. I was also hesitant, but with the encouragement of Orchid Board members, I was able to create a beautiful orchid terrarium with three micro-miniatures, two of which have bloomed already. I love my terrarium as much as my full sized orchids!