What is the age of your oldest Phalaenopsis orchid?

[fotofashion]

I recently bought a Phal. gigantea with leaves that are 16" x 5". It has four nice big leaves in total. My question is: Is it possible to approximate the age of this plant by the size of the leaves. I asked the seller but he does not know its age. It is mounted on tree bark (I guess), has lots of roots and is really a beautiful plant. Thanks
Beverly A.

[Mingny]

Hmmm, I don't think so as there are so many types of orchids in all different sizes although, I think it's safe to say that the more leaves the orchid has, the older the plant is... that is, if the leaves don't fall off. It is part of the aging process for orchid leaves to yellow and die off sometimes.

---------- Post added at 06:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:39 PM ----------

Everyone, thank you so much for sharing your stores. Loving it! And love the photos too

[Optimist]

I think the gigantia part would mean that when it was a small seedling it may have been the size of a regular phal. I would think that it is the same age that most phals are when they are sold. Blooming size. Whatever that age is.

[lotis146]

Wow! Impressive ages, makes me happy to know they can live so long!

So typically how old is blooming age? In response to this question I jumped up and looked at my group. Two rescues I picked up the other day have 5 & 6 leaves, two spikes each with many flowers. I've seen Orchids for sale online that say they are 2-3 years till bloom, is that a rough age they are until they bloom? I have two keikis recently removed that I think are 1.5 years old.

From what I actually know from how long I've had them: my mini phal I received as a gift in bloom and I've had for probably 5 year (maybe 6???), it has 5 leaves (after one died).

Then I have a Phal in bloom when picked up 2.5 yrs ago.

[Mingny]

I think it takes a Phal a couple years until blooming age. And I think Phals can live on for many many many years as long as you provide them with TLC

[braxtonds]

I've found it impossible to age a Phal based on the number of leaves it has. Mine is 13 years old and only has 6 leaves. The old ones have the habit of falling off, especially if the humidity is low, which mine is.