Evan, you can have mine if you want.

When I visited Orchidaceae a few years ago, I ended up buying two of them. Of course, Mark's sales tip was just showing me the picture of 30+ flowers on one spike ( just like you see on the net). Since then, one has died. I am getting to the conculsion that I should not be growing Phals. For some reason, they do not like the environment I have.

I also learned from ORCHIDS magazine that those Phals are kept not to bloom for 3 - 4 years. The plants get big enough with multiple leaves. When they see the opportunity to bloom, they will put out so many flowers.

They are beautiful flowers, though.

Susan, I saw it in person at Oregon Orchid Society Spring show. It was amazing. His greenhouse is "State of the Art."

I would have definitely gotten the Sogo Yukidian. As far as I'm concerned, a big NOID white isn't worth owning unless you want to get it blooming and give it to your grandmother (none orchid growing grandmother, that is). I'm personally a little tired of hearing about NOIDS.

Carl

That is kinda weird, that Phals don't like your environment, considering I live only an hour and a half north of you. But, different orchids resonate with different people, I think. I seem to have the touch for phals, others are good with catts, etc. That's why it's so great that orchids are soooo diverse!

So they intentionally make the plants stock up on energy for a few years in order to get those massive bloom spikes? What a shame. I'd rather have a few blooms every year. Hmmm, my Great White NOID did start producing a second leaf this summer before I left for school (it's only ever made 1 new leaf before), and I did remove it's old spike last year. Maybe I will get a better bloom this year!

I think that my phals get too much light under 400W HID although paphs and phrags are doing so well under the same condition.

Well, we all have our opinions and are entitled to such. For me, my big white NOID, nauseatingly common as it may be, holds sentimental value as my first orchid. And if I see a NOID that catches my eye, I'm not going to miss paying extra for the full pedigree.

That may be it. I just use windows, and my Phals all do fine. Conversely, my lone Paph. (incidentally, Paph. Macabre) is growing slowly and failed to bloom last year.

Just my opinion, but I like my dark black/purple Macabre better than the awarded plant at Orchidaceae. I just think their clone is too light. The name doesn't fit. But I'm not really into judging. I just love orchids!

I have a phal. yukidian 5 x 5 x sib. Can anyone tell me what the 5 x 5 means.
I have it growing in S/H, and it seems to be doin ok.

Evan, the plant is on its way. Here is the pictures I took last year when they bloomed. I had two plants.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/...7a9fec2145.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3348/...308a9a1b32.jpg

Thanks Naoki! I'll be looking for it in the mail!

Luckygrower, sorry, I'm not sure what the 5 x 5 means other than it must be part of the cross.