Disappointed...

[The Mutant]

My Phal. Little Gem Variegated Leaf Form opened its first flower today and MAN, am I disappointed or what? It's the precise opposite of what I look for in a Phal; it's huge and it's stripey!

I didn't know what the flowers would look like since the only one appearing when I googled on "Phal. Little Gem" was Phal. (or Dtps.) Little Gem Stripes, which I felt I could actually live with, and don't let the name fool you, it doesn't have any stripes. I wonder what the name of this clone (?) cultivar (?) is; Little Gem "Zebra Crossing"?

This guy is sooo going to move.

Here it is:

[nenella]

I think that bloom looks like it does as it's had a change of growing conditions. The plants leaves look super cool! I love them. I'm sure you will get a better flower next time it blooms.

[camille1585]

I think it's very nice looking, though it would probably look better if there was a nice full spike of blooms. You should start an orchid resale business, lol. I've lost track of how many you've bought and sold!

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by nenella

I think that bloom looks like it does as it's had a change of growing conditions. The plants leaves look super cool! I love them. I'm sure you will get a better flower next time it blooms.

I think that this is how it's supposed to look like (but with a better shape). I've found another picture of this variegated form and the flowers look the same, unfortunately.

I love the leaves which was why I bought it, wasn't expecting the flower to be so very not my taste thought.

Originally Posted by camille1585

I think it's very nice looking, though it would probably look better if there was a nice full spike of blooms. You should start an orchid resale business, lol. I've lost track of how many you've bought and sold!

It has suffered some major bud blast since I got it, I think I might have kept it too dry in the beginning...

Well, I think I would suck as an orchid resale business, since I've bought approximately two million and sold one so far.

EDIT:
I just found out from one of the knowledgeable people from BLOF, that this is NOT a Little Gem, but more probably a Phal Modern Stripes or a Phal Matou Stripes (or Phal Matou Freed I think). No wonder it doesn't look anything like a Phal Little Gem! I've sent an email to the vendor informing them about this.

MORE EDIT:
I totally forgot that I had sold a Pahl. I-Hsin Copper Star too, so maybe I should start an orchid resale business...

[Wynn Dee13]

I like it. If you bought it for the leaves then why don't you keep it? They are out of bloom more than in bloom anyway. Wow! You were not kidding when you said you were picky! Most orchid people I have ever talked to love or at least like all orchids in some way. You seem to be the opposite. Sorry your so disappointed. I'm sure you won't have an issue selling it with those beautiful leaves. Now you have a spot to buy a new one!

[stonedragonfarms]

If you bought it for the leaves, then just chop off the spike, problem solved...

[camille1585]

That's a great solution!!

[Susie11]

I love it. It looks exactly like one of mine that I have successfully managed to rebloom this year. I would take it off your hands but as I said I already have one.


Maybe when you get more flowers it will be more appealing.

[Arenalbotanicalgarden]

It isn't a species. Don't expect too much.

[The Mutant]

Yay! I'm happy to report that my disappointment has become someone else joy! I asked my friend if her mother (who isn't just equipped with a green thumb when it comes to Phals, but more of green hands) might want it and she asked. Her mother was definitely interested so I showed her the photos of this guy and she wanted it! Now I know it'll come to a great home and receive all the love and admiration it should have.

Despite this guy not being my taste doesn't mean I want it to end up in a bad home so I'm very happy that she wanted it - it was the best possible place for it.

And now I've ordered a small replacement since I want a Phal with a variegated foliage; a Sogo Vivien 'Golden Vivien'. But hang on, the Sogo Vivien is also stripey, you might think. Yup, it is and this is the biggest issue I'll have with it, but the flowers are SMALL and Phals with small flowers are much more my cup of tea than those with large ones, so I can live with it having stripes.

Originally Posted by Wynn Dee13

I like it. If you bought it for the leaves then why don't you keep it? They are out of bloom more than in bloom anyway. Wow! You were not kidding when you said you were picky! Most orchid people I have ever talked to love or at least like all orchids in some way. You seem to be the opposite. Sorry your so disappointed. I'm sure you won't have an issue selling it with those beautiful leaves. Now you have a spot to buy a new one!

I AM very picky, too picky in some ways and not picky enough in other. My friend is like most orchid people, she can find something she likes in almost every orchid, while I can't. It's like the love I have for those that I really like are so intense there's none left for the rest.

Originally Posted by stonedragonfarms

If you bought it for the leaves, then just chop off the spike, problem solved...

No, I can't do that, I really can't cut healthy and blooming spikes just because I don't like the flowers. It's much better that it comes to someone who will love it both in and out of bloom which it has.