I know I'm a bit late with this post. But I came home with one today, so I thought I would google this chid. I came across your posts. Lucky me. It is so beautiful. Only cost me $9.00 and in bloom too. Like you all said, this is a bit wobbly in the little pot, the p.bulbs seem to be on top of the mix. Is this how they should be potted? Should I wait until it has stopped blooming then repot, or should I repot now. it is Spring here?
Almost all of the ones that I found seemed to be perched on top of the mix and were quite wobbly. I picked the healthiest looking one from the bunch and let it stay wobbly until it was done blooming (last night). Now that I cut the flower spikes I will repot. It didn't seem to affect the orchid at all. It was in bloom for ages.
These guys are shameless ladders, meaning they tend to stack their new pbulbs up rather than out. It does make them look a bit untidy as well as unstable. Mine is due for a repot in the spring. I'm not sure if there is a way to discourage laddering. I've asked that question before but never gotten an answer, so I have a feeling that this is just what they do.
So surpised and happy to see this little guy throwing spikes! 2!
I really haven't done anything special with it... I keep it watered and lighted like a phal. It just dries out before I water. Fertilize 3 out of 4 waterings at 1/3 strength. Lower light like a phal. It threw out a mess of roots over the winter and I noticed these handsome pair of spikes this Sunday while watering.
I've got to get my hands on a few more of these little guys. They're bullet proof.
Mine is loving life right now. It's blooming with 6 spikes! When they're all open it will be quite a show. Interestingly as I read back through this thread and read Rob's comment about cooler temps intensifying the red color, I had an Ah Ha moment. We have had an unseasonably cool spring and summer so far. The color of my flowers this year is a super deep red. Very different from the last time it bloomed. I'll try and remember to take a picture of it and post.
The 2 spikes are still going strong. The buds are just starting to open now. Here are the first few. It was a real hot spring and the flowers seem to be a paler red then the last time. The waterfall is way more pronounced though, so that's cool. I love these little guys. Does anyone know if there are other popular varieties?