Can anyone id this phal? - Orchid Board

Judi · #1 12-09-2008, 11:21 PM

Although I'm a newbie on the board, you guys have been really helpful

. I have a phal I rescued from a grocery store, it's doing well and just finished flowering, the leaves aren't overly large, but of course it didn't have a tag telling me what I have. Does anyone know which phal this is

? BTW, don't mind the leaves in the background, they are from a hanging begonia

.

breeindy · #2 12-09-2008, 11:51 PM

not sure but great find. Beautiful colour with the white edging!

tvrepair · #3 12-10-2008, 12:32 AM

Looks like Phal Black butterfly or everspring prince. Looks like nice plant.

Greg Smith

priz_m · #4 12-10-2008, 01:49 PM

Judi, forgive me for not being of help to identify the phal. All I can say is that it is beautiful!

Judi · #5 12-11-2008, 12:25 AM

Thanks for the compliments

I thoght it was a really different and beautiful orchid too. My husband was with me when I saw it and he was convinced it wasn't real because the flowers were thick and almost leathery compared to the other phals I have. I told him to stop touching the flowers before they fall off prematurely. Then I suggested we needed to take it home so we could watch it and be absolutely sure that it was real

Greg, I think it probably is the Black Butterfly--I looked them both up on the web, and I think the Black Butterfly pictures are probably closer to what I have. Thanks again!

Kath · #6 12-12-2008, 07:39 AM

I got a phal of the same type. I've added a photo. This one is called Elegant Deborah. Could be of the same family?? Yours is beautiful!

Judi · #7 12-16-2008, 11:54 PM

Thanks for your input, but although it's similar, I don't think it is the same phal. But I love the color of yours! I think the difference is in the petal and sepal shape. Your petals and sepals seem to be more elongated while mine are more rounded. Also, the lower sepals on your phal are more visible while the ones on mine seem to be more tucked under the petals. With all the varieties and hybrids, I don't know how anyone can keep track of them all! Sorry about the delay in getting back to you--we had a major ice storm and I was without power for 4 days--the electricity just came on last night and I am just catching up on mt e-mails!

Kath · #8 12-17-2008, 05:59 AM

True. There are so many phals out there, I think we should have a thread just to id the phals! With all the people there are out there, we could end up with some good names, not just A N Other or NOID. Your phal is very pretty, with what seems to be 'leathery' petals. Mine has the same, though as you say, the name differs. Could this be to do with the different potting medium??

Judi · #9 12-17-2008, 11:55 AM

Maybe, I never thought of that! I'm not sure what you use, I use a commercial orchid mix that is endorsed by the American Orchid Association; it ia a mix of bark, charcoal, and peralite. I also add a handful of rockwool cubes and some cork pieces. When I pot my chids I like to put some styrofoam popcorn at the bottom of the pot, I also find the popcorn useful to prop the chids in place in the pot. So far I haven't had any problems with the chids touching the popcorn.