Still No Success With Phals

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I agree with everything Rosie says here except one thing. Two months are more than enough to do significant damage.
If plants die within a few days of purchase without your sunburning or freezing them to death, then, they probably were already in bad shape.

To some extent I agree, however I've noticed problems within a few days, then fought to save them for a couple of months. I've had them sitting rootless in water culture for a good 6 weeks before they finally look so bad that I throw them out. I don't give up easily so a couple of months is about the life I get out of orchids showing root problems pretty quickly.

[AnonYMouse]

I feel for you. I have problems with Masdies.

Has anyone suggested mounting? Something to consider.

I agree with Philip on changing your source. Find a reputable grower and call them, have them suggest a plant for your growing conditions. It will likely be more expensive than a supermarket noid but a reputable grower will send you a healthy plant. Check the Vendor Feedback section of the board.

Another source for plants and knowledge are shows and OS meetings, if there are any near.

Try a different genera. My one cattleya noid is thriving on neglect.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I usually don't recommend mounting Phals as much anymore because of the inconvenience it poses to most people, but it is still an option, and a very good one for many Phals as well.

Trying another genera of orchid is another viable option if you really want to grow orchids in general.

Otherwise, if you're just hellbent on growing only Phals, then you gotta just figure it out.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Felt the need to mention...

The white Phals you guys see in places like The Home Depot or Trader Joe's is most likely not a species.

It is usually a hybrid of Phal aphrodite and Phal amabilis.

Phal aphrodite is very distinct in appearance compared to the white Phals commonly out there in the market.

Phal amabilis may look closer to what the white Phal hybrids out there look like, but they're still different looking enough that if you're familiar with this species you can tell the difference right away.

Again, if you really want the real Phal aphrodite or the real Phal amabilis, they may actually be much harder to find. And once you obtain them from a reputable seller, you may start to see the differences between the actual species (usually far rarer) versus the hybrid whites (much more common).