Help turned me onto this plant... what an enabler... but I'm glad it happened because I quickly submitted my order to Hausermann's along with one violacea, and they finally arrived today.
First impressions:
Very well packaged. UPS has this amazing way of destroying boxes in transit-- this one was not different, but the plants inside were well-wrapped an in excellent condition in terms of wear and tear of travel.
Opening the box:
Again, well packaged, Sunflower was potted in moss, which I prefer as plants I get in bark arrive really dried out and its already really dry in Colorado. I was amazed
shocked even, about how big this phal is. Its huge! One leaf, I would venture a guess is 8+ inches long. It also had many clean and full leaves.
The violacea (the travel companion) is very small. I kinda can't believe I paid as much as I did for such a small plant! The plus side, there was a tiny baby one hidden in the pot, too. It'll be a long time before I see any flowers from these two.
Health of the plant:
Both plants are healthy... many leaves and many roots. Sunflower was tightly packed in moss. And though I like moss, like my pants, i don't like moss to be too tight! This poor plant had to be holding its collective root-breath! I managed to dislodge the moss to find what amounted about 75% of the roots in fair condition. Not good or great but fair-- as in some dead parts but others are still firm and the rot doesn't seem to be a danger. Then there is 20% that are green or yellow, but solid and actively growing. The remaining 5% are new nubs sprouting from the base of the plant-- I'm very pleased. Phals that grow in moss tend to make the transition to s/h more easily than those grown in bark or otherwise. And its very good that its already growing new roots.
This is definitely a happy plant.,
Here is my violacea-- yep...its just that small. It went into a community pot that has lots of loose, moist moss so that it keeps hydrated but warm (its in a west window). I had to nestle it a little under another larger orchid so that it does get burnt.
Overall, I'm content with the order, though I wish the violaceas where either a) bigger or b) cheaper. I'd like both a and b but beggars can't be choosey.
And now, some eye candy.
Gold Beauty:
Lawrence:
Ember:
Ember is scented and smelled amazing during this quick, cell-phone photo shoot.
Brassia is scented too-- smells like cinnamon and vanilla:
Unfortunately, I forgot to open the windows in the sunroom so... its gonna get a little warm in there, Chids!
The Life and Time of P. I-Hsin Sunflower
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