Terri-- I was on another board where someone was mentioning that Hausermann's was incorrectly labeling the plants as such. And if I'm not mistaken, were bellina's considered a type of violacea until recently? I could be mistaken, of course, but this is what the old brain is conjuring up.

I'm not familiar with Carmela's. Are they on line?

Thanks for the compliments-- and thanks, the plant is wonderful! The scent really is mouth-watering.

You are correct that in the past bellina was named Phal. violacea var bellina. It has since been reclassified as it's own species. You'll know what you have when it blooms. Violacea has deep magenta flowers, and of course bellina has white/green with magenta in the lateral sepals.

Carmela's is a nursery on the Big Island of Hawaii. Here's a link to their site. Orchid Growers - Hakalau, HI - Carmela Orchids Their website is kind of funky but they have amazing plants.

This is the plant.... which given your description suggests it would be a bellina, no? And you're right-- just have to wait for it to bloom. Either way, its a very pretty plant... the leaves are exceptionally ROUND! Many of my standard phals develop longer and longer, but not wider, leaves and this one seems to be growing wider as well as longer. I hate that its still in moss... but until I can be absolutely certain it'll make it in s/h, I won't risk it. I check often for new roots and they come, but often without me knowing it!

Yep that's bellina. You're braver that I am if you plan to put it in S/H.

Gorgeous phal and photo, Pilot. Thanks for enabling me and letting us know where you can buy it. Found it on Longee's site, but doesn't seem to be on Hausermann's any more.

Wow you're right! They tend to sell out of that one pretty quickly. I don't think most people know of how lovely the plant is unless you experience it in person. But they did push it as being highly fragrant. I would agree with them-- probably one of the more fragrant ones I own but only in the mid-morning.

Why's that, Terri? Are they known to dislike s/h? S/h in general makes life for both me and the plant so much better so i look forward to making the change with this one. Ember has violacea genes in it and it does exceptionally well in s/h so I'm not worried. Although, I should mention that due to the plant's need for warmth, as it is now, it'll likely remain on one of my heating mats for as long as I have it. Heating mats rock!

Ryan, violacea and bellina both like to be grown a bit warmer that other Phals. My concern with S/H is the root zone would be too cool, but if you're keeping them on seedling mats it shouldn't be an issue. Just make sure they are well watered at all times. They get really unhappy if the are too dry. I almost lost my bellina (I was actually about to toss it). Thought I'd throw a little sphag moss on top of the pot to see if that helped, and it perked right up and started growing tons of new roots. Phew! :_( That could have been bad!

That has been my experience, too-- never let these guys get too dry, they'll resent you for it!

During the Winter, any warm-growing phals (of which I have a few) stay on heating mats for the reasons you stated. During the summer, they come off the mats but only because the solarium gets toasty! And the windows close at night before the room is allowed to cool too much. I have also found that putting the plants close together (pots touching) keeps them warm throughout the night.

But yes, keeping them warm and not dry is all they really ask.

Glad you saved your bellina-- she blooming for you yet?

Not yet. She's just a baby still. Bought her as a seedling last year from Orchidview along with one of their blue violaceas. Maybe next year. :)