How hard is Phal. gigantea to keep??? - Orchid Board

Roly0217 · #1 07-04-2008, 08:54 PM

everyone. I went to the nursery today and was tellimg the owner that I would like to have Phal. gigantea in my collection and he told me that even experienced growers have trouble with it. How accurate is this??? If so why is it so hard???

OrchidTess · #2 07-04-2008, 09:02 PM

I have 2 growing rather well under T5 lights...so far not so hard....... you have to have high light and keep water out of the crown. BUT mine have not bloomed yet.
Good article to readBig Leaf Orchids - Phalaenopsis gigantea

Bird Song Farm · #3 07-05-2008, 04:47 AM

I have only had mine about 3 months and it is mounted.
It arrived in pretty poor shape and has taken it awhile to adjust but I have new root tips showing up in the last week. I think my problem will be this winter as I believe P. gigantea likes warm temps.
Roly, you should have no problem with it but it does NOT like wet feet, I'd go with mounting it.

Al

caseydoll · #4 07-05-2008, 04:52 AM

While we're on the subject (hope this isn't considered hijacking

) does anyone know how big they have to be before they are considered blooming size? I read the article Tess posted about but I'm still unsure...

Bird Song Farm · #5 07-05-2008, 05:16 AM

The longest leaf on mine (also the most damaged leaf during packing) is about 10" and I was told it was blooming size...........not much help but perhaps an idea for you.
AL

caseydoll · #6 07-05-2008, 05:22 AM

Thanks Al! That does help!

I want one....

Roly0217 · #7 07-05-2008, 10:34 AM

and thank you all for your responses. I think that I'll be getting one of those then. Here it will get very warm temperatures and it will be shaded so that it won't get a sunburn. I really like it.

Phantasm · #8 07-05-2008, 04:36 PM

Most examples of Phal gigantea that I have seen don't do well over the long term. They are not difficult from seed but do need to grow large to perform well. Like many phals they appreciate warm temperatures and humidity. Problems arise with crown rot which sends them downhill quickly. They are spectacular when bloomed well...........

edwardwang · #9 07-05-2008, 06:43 PM

Mounting is the best way to keep it, and choose a bigger one will be better.
4 mounths ago I got one in 2.5" pot, eveything was so smooth, so I bought anotherone 2 months later in 1.5" pot.
But the current local weather is too hot , it becomes a little bit hard. Both of them drop an old leaf now.
I have recorded the process below.

Roly0217 · #10 07-05-2008, 07:31 PM

Once I get it I'll definetly mount it. Probably in a basket with some inclination rather than bark. I've seen somebody's monster Phal in a basket and it seems happy