Phal Stuartiana - difficult to grow?

[camille1585]

Just a small clarification, Phal stuartiana is a species, there is no hybrid with the same name (with uppercase S). Phal Stuartiana is simply incorrect spelling of the species name. The cross you were looking at was still a species as both parents are Phal stuartiana, just with different forms of it.

If you want an easy related Phal, I strongly recommend Phal schilleriana x stuartiana (this cross is named Phal Wiganiae). It's easy, very forgiving of a wide range of conditions and while it's not a small Phal it's not a large one either. I'm not too sure what you mean by 'compact' size when it comes to Phals.

If you want some small and relatively easy Phal species, have a look at Phal equestris (a sequential bloomer), Phal mannii, or Phal pallens for example.

[harrefr]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Just a small clarification, Phal stuartiana is a species, there is no hybrid with the same name (with uppercase S). Phal Stuartiana is simply incorrect spelling of the species name. The cross you were looking at was still a species as both parents are Phal stuartiana, just with different forms of it.

If you want an easy related Phal, I strongly recommend Phal schilleriana x stuartiana (this cross is named Phal Wiganiae). It's easy, very forgiving of a wide range of conditions and while it's not a small Phal it's not a large one either. I'm not too sure what you mean by 'compact' size when it comes to Phals.

If you want some small and relatively easy Phal species, have a look at Phal equestris (a sequential bloomer), Phal mannii, or Phal pallens for example.

Oh wow, thanks for the recommendations, Wiganiae is beautiful…and with mottled leaves! I will definitely seek this one out. By ‘compact’ I mean a rather small grower. Almost like the ‘just add ice’ orchids.

---------- Post added at 08:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:29 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Vendors who don't follow the conventions are, unfortunately, common. That sloppiness would give me pause given the price, though... For a plant so expensive, I'd hope it would come from a more knowledgeable vendor.

It is very tempting, I must be honest. It is so pretty! But calling it a hybrid when in fact it is a species…and for 60$…I’m not sure they know what they are selling…which means I don’t know what I am getting.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by harrefr

It is very tempting, I must be honest. It is so pretty! But calling it a hybrid when in fact it is a species…and for 60$…I’m not sure they know what they are selling…which means I don’t know what I am getting.

Best to just wait, I think. There are a lot of reputable vendors (check out the Vendor Feedback sub-forum for some good ones, and some warnings about not-so-good ones). Be patient... vendors don't have everything all the time, they're not Amazon (thank heavens!) but post new listings as they get them. One never knows what they may have just waiting to get big enough to sell .

[harrefr]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Best to just wait, I think. There are a lot of reputable vendors (check out the Vendor Feedback sub-forum for some good ones, and some warnings about not-so-good ones). Be patient... vendors don't have everything all the time, they're not Amazon (thank heavens!) but post new listings as they get them. One never knows what they may have just waiting to get big enough to sell .

As I am trying to learn both with orchids and in life in general, is patience. But I am not good at that!

[harrefr]

Pic of “ Phalaenopsis Stuartiana x Minus hybrid” that I am considering. Maybe the autocorrect messed up and capitalized Stuartiana? Mine did…

[Ray]

If it is listed as “ Phalaenopsis stuartiana x Phalaenopsis minus” (both are species so their specific names should be lower case), the the plant is the hybrid, Phalaenopsis Fine Art.

Phal. minus originates from higher elevations in Thailand, so can see much cooler winters, so may make the hybrid more tolerant of lower temperatures than the Phal. stuariana would tolerate.

[harrefr]

Originally Posted by Ray

If it is listed as “ Phalaenopsis stuartiana x Phalaenopsis minus” (both are species so their specific names should be lower case), the the plant is the hybrid, Phalaenopsis Fine Art.

Phal. minus originates from higher elevations in Thailand, so can see much cooler winters, so may make the hybrid more tolerant of lower temperatures than the Phal. stuariana would tolerate.

Yup, that is what the tag reads in the pic the vendor sent. Good to know, thanks, Ray!