Phal Stuartiana - difficult to grow?

[harrefr]

Hey fellow orchid friends. Does anyone have experience with growing phal Stuartiana var Nobilis? Is it a difficult one to grow and flower? I found one for sale for 65$ but I have read mixed opinions on their care requirements. Thoughts…buy or skip it?

[WaterWitchin]

No, not difficult if you're already raising phals.

[harrefr]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

No, not difficult if you're already raising phals.

Yes, I have a few already, some in-flower, and others are putting out new growth. My mini Mark is struggling a bit, but beginning to recover and growing a new leaf and root.

[camille1585]

I agree, if you have success with other Phals, this one is rather easy as far as species go. The price seems rather high for a var. nobilis, but I have no idea how US prices compare to the EU.

For what it's worth, my experience with Mini Mark is that it is a somewhat difficult hybrid which is not too forgiving of less than ideal culture. I generally do very well with phals, but have killed 3 Mini Mark...

[WaterWitchin]

I'm with ya on that Mini Mark. It's pretty, but highly over-hyped/rated. I have a seedling, mounted, and it's been limping along for over a year now. I also thought the price of the stuartiana was a little pricey, and I'm US based... based on the size of what one's buying of course. For that much I'd expect at minimum a blooming size, maybe in bud.

[harrefr]

Originally Posted by camille1585

I agree, if you have success with other Phals, this one is rather easy as far as species go. The price seems rather high for a var. nobilis, but I have no idea how US prices compare to the EU.

For what it's worth, my experience with Mini Mark is that it is a somewhat difficult hybrid which is not too forgiving of less than ideal culture. I generally do very well with phals, but have killed 3 Mini Mark...

Generally speaking, I am having good success with my phals, Mini Mark aside. I try not to pay too much attention to them, but it’s rather dry in my house - 40-50% humidity in my grow space - so I tend to check them daily. My Mini Mark is the Breckenridge hybrid, and I have read that previous hybrids, like the Holm hybrid, were more difficult. Mine is limping along, trying to recover from dehydration - oops. I hate it when I kill one of my orchids.

---------- Post added at 07:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:34 PM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I'm with ya on that Mini Mark. It's pretty, but highly over-hyped/rated. I have a seedling, mounted, and it's been limping along for over a year now. I also thought the price of the stuartiana was a little pricey, and I'm US based... based on the size of what one's buying of course. For that much I'd expect at minimum a blooming size, maybe in bud.

Mine is limping along too, trying to recover from being under-watered. But he’s putting out a new leaf and a new root, so I am hopeful.

And I did get the price on the Stuartiana down to 58$, so I might give it a try. Not sure just how compact it is…my grow space is rather limited right now.

[Dalachin]

One of my favorite phals! It has been very resilient for me, and very generous with its blooms. Price sounds high and it is a spring bloomer in the northern hemisphere, you may find them more available and better priced in another season.

[harrefr]

Originally Posted by Dalachin

One of my favorite phals! It has been very resilient for me, and very generous with its blooms. Price sounds high and it is a spring bloomer in the northern hemisphere, you may find them more available and better priced in another season.

Good point about the price and blooming season. It’s probably almost finished blooming then. One question I am trying to figure out — would you consider it a mini or compact grower? My grow space is rather limited right now…I keep ordering more orchids, can’t help it, they’re so pretty!

[Ray]

Phal. stuartiana (note lower case, as it is a species) is relatively compact in size. Not a mini by any means, but not particularly large, either.

It is, however, a hot grower, like bellina, venosa, and a few others, so will do best if never allowed to go below about 70F.

[harrefr]

Originally Posted by Ray

Phal. stuartiana (note lower case, as it is a species) is relatively compact in size. Not a mini by any means, but not particularly large, either.

It is, however, a hot grower, like bellina, venosa, and a few others, so will do best if never allowed to go below about 70F.

Not sure if the seller made a typo, but it is listed as “ Phalaenopsis Stuartiana x Phalaenopsis Minus - Rare Primary Hybrid“. Good to know about it being a hot grower as my grow space usually remains around the mid-70s with 40-50% humidity