Phal Hilo Lip 'Cat Nip' - Orchid Board

isurus79 · #1 04-05-2010, 07:37 PM

I'm not a huge fan of hybrid Phals, but this is one of the 2 hybrid Phals that I own. I've always really enjoyed the reverse coloration of this clone, with the white lip and dark pink petals. I planted this one upside down, as they would be found in nature to see what would happen. Needless to say, both 'upside down' Phals are doing very well and I don't think I need to stake them anymore. I'll post pics of the other Phal potted like this (in a few weeks) with a much larger spike that doesn't seem to need staking either. Anyway, enjoy!

iceicebaby · #2 04-06-2010, 11:25 AM

Mmmm a very smart move. No water will be retained on the crown, so no crown rot.
please throw more light on ur growing conditions.

Paul · #3 04-06-2010, 11:27 AM

Excellant!

tuvoc · #4 04-06-2010, 11:35 AM

Cool.

Kim

isurus79 · #5 04-06-2010, 03:53 PM

Thanks everyone!

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceicebaby

Mmmm a very smart move. No water will be retained on the crown, so no crown rot.
please throw more light on ur growing conditions.

Yep, no crown rot and no leaf splitting, which was a big issue with my other Phal. There is quite a bit of sun coming down on that spot, just not on the day I was taking pics! The leaf edges are actually a nice deep red/purple color.

quiltergal · #6 04-06-2010, 04:44 PM

Hilo Lip is one of my favorite Phal. hybrids. I have the 'Winter Frost' cultivar. It hasn't bloomed for me yet. Course it wasn't in great condition when I got it. It's on the mend, so maybe next year I'll see blooms!

iceicebaby · #7 04-06-2010, 11:02 PM

isurus79 if I have understood it correctly, the plants is in the open and gets sun (direct sun light) on its leaves.
That's interesting. How did you manage to acclamatize the plant to direct sunlight, please let us know.
Thanking you in advance,

Dev

isurus79 · #8 04-06-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceicebaby

isurus79 if I have understood it correctly, the plants is in the open and gets sun (direct sun light) on its leaves.
That's interesting. How did you manage to acclamatize the plant to direct sunlight, please let us know.
Thanking you in advance,

Dev

It gets dappled light filtered through the trees, though I think it might get some direct sun in the morning, when its not too harsh. This particular plant seems to be more tolerant to sun than most types of Phals.