Hello i am very interested in this plant!!! and know that it can be pricy to buy and i was wondering if it is hard to grow. i know that phals have been deemed beginner orchids but is this still that case with phal bellina???? i would like to know everything before i shell out the money you know. well any help will be greatly appreciated thank you in advance!!!!!
While this isn't the species but a hybrid with bellina as one of the parents, I have had no problems growing this plant. It is very fragrant, especially mid-day.
I don't think Phal bellina is any harder to grow than other phals. Mine are grown outside under partial shade in the summer. We just came inside today (night temps below 50F) and will grow under lights in a spare room. A bellina should be available for $30 - $40. A few hobbyists I know get compots of these, saving the best for them selves, and sharing the rest. Here is one of mine, Phal bellina (P bellina 'Jungle Gem' x P bellina 'Pokan') AM/AOS.
This is no harder to grow than any other Phal. I grow all my species Phals...and this one ...in baskets or mounted but they are not help straight up. I situate them either sideways or upside down...it keeps any water out of the crown and they all seem to love it
There are alot of hybrids! does it really matter which one i choose or all thay all really the same in growth and culture?? There is an alba variety that looks nice all at normans orchids that really the only place i found a bunch of varietys. any other places you guys know of?
Something to take note of bellina- if you buy it very small it will grow very very slowly, once they reach a certain size I believe the leafspan of about 5-6inches they take off!
Look around the internet, see what interests you, find one in the $20-40 for a mature blooming size plant!
Good luck and let us know where you get yours or if you need vendor selection help!
Normans has a few in bud and in spike! so should i get one of those so i can be garunteed that its truly mature size??? the in bloom varietys are :
Phal. bellina (P. bellina ' Jungle Gem' x P. bellina 'Pokan' AM/AOS),
Phal. bellina (Oval Leaves strain) ( x )
Phal. bellina 'Montclair' ( x )
Phal. violacea var. sumatrana ( x )
these are in the 35.00$-65.00$ range with the Montclair being the most expensive and the violacea being the least expensive. what makes the Montclair so much more expensive? i think ill go with the First one thats a hybrid or the oval leaves strain it looks interesting!
Also should i repot upon reciept or leave it alone?? i would like to put it in lightly packed moss and add a few extra air holes just to make sure it stays happy! waht do you think?
And i would like to take the time to Thank each of you for you help and good advice!!! and concern in my decisions! it one of the reasons i love coming to this forum!!!!!!! Keep it coming!!!!
Last edited by Cattleya17; 10-23-2008 at 05:32 PM..
Reason: forgot something and a spell check