Which to pick? I can't get them all! Help :)

[claytonkroh]

I've started building my phal collection, and I don't have many yet. We're coming into summer phal season, so there are more showing up for sale—a lot more, and I'm not sure which from a section I should add to my collection first. I'm hoping you all might have some recommendations for the next two (maybe three? ) to get.

As a note, I'm also looking toward eventually trying pollination and flasks, too, so if there are phals I should have in my collection for that reason, let me know!

Here are the ones I have to pick from:

• Phalaenopsis schilleriana

• Phalaenopsis Zuma's Pixie x Taida Pearl

• Phalaenopsis Yaphon Beginning of Life (Yaphon Luedde-Star x gigantea)

• Phalaenopsis YangYang Gigan Cherry (Jong's Gigan Cherry 'Prince' x gigantea)

• Phalaenopsis Yaphon Boss (Chienlung Sweetheart × gigantea)

• Phalaenopsis Yaphon Super Jaguar

I realize it might be tough to make suggestions based solely on the names with no pictures, but if something does jump out at you, or you have recommendations of phals I don't have on that list, I would love to hear which!

Thanks in advance!

[DrDawn]

These look like a good selection! If people are looking for pics, SeattleOrchid has most of the ones you mentioned on their site. What are you trying to optimize on? Easy to grow? Do you want a challenge? More color/size variation from your current collection?

[claytonkroh]

My collection of phals is pretty small right now, so I'm open to any size and color choices. I am looking mostly at fragrant phals at the moment, but I'm not ruling out nonfragrant types.

I also don't mind a challenge. I've gotten pretty good with my other orchids, even with the sometimes fussy types like Nelly Isler and Miltoniopsis types, and I've got differing environments in my house depending on types (e.g., cool growing, warm growing, high light, shade, etc.).

And those I listed I actually found on SeattleOrchid.com!

[sweetjblue]

As a word of caution before placing an order with that particular vendor perhaps you should check out the Vendor Feedback section on them. There is more than one thread

I could think of other businesses for phalaenopsis that provide not only healthy plants but also great customer service.

[claytonkroh]

Ooh, yes, recommendations of quality vendors would be greatly appreciated! Finding them by trial and error gets expensive and can be disheartening when you hit a dud.

[Leafmite]

Here is a place that has gotten great reviews and has novelty Phals:

Big Leaf Orchids

If you are looking for fragrant Phals, I am guessing you already have Phal bellina.

[ghuylar]

Personally, I have never had a bad experience with Seattle Orchid, and have gotten healthy and good quality plants from them! That being said, I have seen the reviews that others have not had the same experiences I have. Like you, I am also from Washington! I love supporting local growers. I don't have any experience with any of the phals you listed, but my one word of advice is that Seattle Orchids is a fairly expensive vendor. I reserve them for rarer plants and those I want very quickly. Hausermann's is a retailer I also like and they usually have a great phal selection. Happy shopping!

[WaterWitchin]

I vote for the Phal schilleriana and if you don't have one, the Phal bellina.