What is the age of your oldest Phalaenopsis orchid?

[Mingny]

I'm always curious as to how old and how big Phals can get. My oldest girl is 5 year old and she's GORGEOUS Pics soon.

[NYCorchidman]

My oldest was the common large flowering white NOID. about 6 years old before being thrown out. lol

Right now, the oldest one is the white with red lip, which I have had for about 4 years now.

It has been consistently growing two leaves each summer, and one new spike in the fall.

[Mingny]

Why did you throw it out???

And come on everyone! Respond!!! How old is your oldest orchid hehhe.

[chidlove]

My oldest phal is also a huge white. Bought it at the corner grocery and it is 8, going on 9 years old
Last year, I had to cut off many rotted roots, but managed to save it [so far] It has four nice big leaves, and a couple new roots, but I think it will be a few years before I see blooms again.

[NYCorchidman]

I think people are out partying. It's Friday! yay!!!!

Well, I dumped it for various reasons, but mainly because it is highly replaceable. Large white phals are classic now, but they are also available any time of the year any time I want.

Plus, it was getting too big and I wanted to grow something different on its big spot. lol

My oldest orchids are about 8 years old.

[MrHappyRotter]

My oldest phal is about 16 years old. It's a relative newbie compared to the oldest phals that some of my orchid buddies grow. I have a friend that's growing some phals he purchased in the 1970s, and I know of some phals in university collections that are far older than that. That means those phals are older than me.

[RosieC]

My oldest was bought in spring 2006, so about 8 years old. But it's not the biggest, it's tiny after I almost killed it. My biggest is about 4 1/2 years old. I think the size is down to genetics not age.

[Mingny]

Thanks all! Yah Friday night... partying... haven't done that in a while lol! I love to see not only the beauty in orchids but also appreciate the history behind it...each one has its own little story and it is interesting. Like people, the older the orchid is, the more stories they can tell . Anyways appreciate your responses all!

---------- Post added at 05:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:15 AM ----------

PS: I want to see pics of your oldest Orchid folks so if you're bored and got nothing else better to do, go ahead and entertain me pleaseeeeee lol Thanks!!!!

[RosieC]

Well as I said, there is not much to look at on my oldest, but here it is (taken just now).



It's been a lot bigger in it's past. It was my very first orchid and did well for a couple of years until I repotted with bark that was no good from the local garden center (already decomposing). I then made the wrong decision and cut away the base thinking that would help it. I also made a mistake and used cinnamon on the remains of the roots, which really really really didn't help (great on leaf cuts, not so great on roots).

In 2010 it had recovered somewhat and wanted to spike. I let it and got lovely 8 flowers, not sure it was a good idea though as the plant deteriorated again and has struggled again since. However this morning when looking at it I've noticed a new root tip coming deep through the medium. Hoping to get more new roots this spring as I use seaweed on it.

Anyway, that's it's story... this is the orchid that brought me to orchid board, looking for help saving it... and that's when I saw all the other wonderful orchids and my obsession started

[Mingny]

What a lovely story Rosie. Thank you for sharing it I'm glad you didn't give up on it! Wishing you many more years with your baby