Which species phal is which? ID help, please! - Orchid Board

GirlGoneWild · #1 10-16-2012, 03:15 PM

I just received two beautiful species phals in the mail...a Phalaenopsis Lobbii (the kind with the branching habit with multiple flowers on each inflorescence), and a Phalaenopsis Wilsonii.

Anyway, when they arrived, they didn't have any type of identification attached. They were bare-root and wrapped in tissue, and I realized upon soaking them that I have absolutely NO CLUE which is which!

Could you folks help me ID these? Here they are enjoying a good rehydration soak after their long trip:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1&d=1350414703

And here they are potted up in what I call my "happy phal mix" (same orientation as the previous photo).

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1&d=1350414703

The one on the left has very small leaves and roots that are thin and spaghetti-like. There's a lot of them, though! Lots and lots of roots for such a small plant!

The one on the right has much larger leaves and a more compact root system which reminds me more of a classic phal...the roots are plump and firm.

So, could anyone offer me any enlightenment as to which of these is the Lobbii and which is the Wilsonii? I'm dying to tag my new beauties!

Thanks in advance!
Smiles, Jenn

Silje · #2 10-16-2012, 03:33 PM

Haven't got a clue. But when I look at the pictures they look so different I'm sure some of the phal experts will be able to help you out.

You said you ordered it internationally. Was that a lot of hassle or fairly straight forward? I'm considering this, but not sure I'm up for the paperwork. I know this probably vary a bit from country to country, but because of international laws and regulations I imagine that the procedures will be fairly similar all over.

Mira-Claude · #3 10-16-2012, 04:23 PM

The smallest one should be the lobbii, the other the wilsonnii. lobbii is a miniature and therefore should always be less than 6'' foliage.
Both, however would do better mounted ratter than potted as they both have a tendencies toward rot.
Good luck.

GirlGoneWild · #4 10-16-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silje

You said you ordered it internationally. Was that a lot of hassle or fairly straight forward? I'm considering this, but not sure I'm up for the paperwork. I know this probably vary a bit from country to country, but because of international laws and regulations I imagine that the procedures will be fairly similar all over.

My experience was pretty straightforward; the company handled all the paperwork and phytosanitary certifications. However, I was just informed that the country I ordered from sometimes engages in illegal practices in how they get their plants. I have no idea how to tell if a company is legit or not, but I don't want to take the chance of passing on more business to a company that could possibly be damaging their local environment.

Sorry... I feel like that was a really lousy answer to your question... I wish there was some way I could be reassured that the company I ordered from was doing everything legally. Otherwise I'd feel terrible for those poor orchids.

I guess the only way to be truly sure is to order from trusted vendors here in the US.

GirlGoneWild · #5 10-16-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mira-Claude

The smallest one should be the lobbii, the other the wilsonnii. lobbii is a miniature and therefore should always be less than 6'' foliage.
Both, however would do better mounted ratter than potted as they both have a tendencies toward rot.
Good luck.

And I was actually leaning to it being the other way around...the Wilsonii was described as "extremely miniature" on the site I purchased it from, and it naturally defoliates if outside in a natural winter. The texture of the leaves on the smaller one seemed more like the deciduous type...the larger leaves were tougher and thicker and more like a regular phal, so I thought the smaller one was the Wilsonii!

Hmm...we'll have to see how others weigh in. The seller advised potting both of them in bark, so I have them in my "bark mix." Plants don't seem to like mounting in my environment...they dry out too much. I tried mounting vandas and they were miserable and shriveled up. I'm now raising them in vase culture, where they are extremely happy.

But I will keep a very vigilant eye on those roots to avoid the dreaded root rot! Thanks for the advice! Can't wait to see what others have to say, too!

orchidsarefun · #6 10-16-2012, 05:58 PM

I'm with you girls gone wild. Actually I like any girl gone wild

Seriously I have also ordered from China - one of the plants was the wilsonii. Leaves are narrow, never had more than 2 ( well now it has 2 going on 3 ). Very extensive roots when it came, almost all perished as a result of the long trip. I will post a photo.

orchidsarefun · #7 10-16-2012, 06:02 PM

Wilsonii - got it a few months back and is doing well

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orchidsarefun · #8 10-16-2012, 06:04 PM

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GirlGoneWild · #9 10-16-2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

I'm with you girls gone wild. Actually I like any girl gone wild

Seriously I have also ordered from China - one of the plants was the wilsonii. Leaves are narrow, never had more than 2 ( well now it has 2 going on 3 ). Very extensive roots when it came, almost all perished as a result of the long trip. I will post a photo.

Ah, yes...after looking at your photos I would say that the one I have on the left is the Wilsonii. It only has 2 little narrow leaves, and very extensive roots.

I'm sorry most of your roots perished from the trip...mine fared just fine and greened right up when they got in their "bath." In fact, these were two of the happiest bare-root plants I've ever received!

Unfortunately that means that if they die it's ENTIRELY my fault...

Oh, and you'll notice that my name is "Girl" gone wild...sorry to disappoint you, but I'm singular.

As for the name, all the good ones were already taken...I debated "Girl Gone Orchid Crazy," but that just didn't have the same ring to it...

I knew it was only a matter of time before someone made a comment about my name...hehee...

orchidsarefun · #10 10-16-2012, 08:29 PM

I looked up my purchase and it was 3/8/2012. Much of its long journey happened in colder weather and I also made a note that it arrived with 2 spikes, which subsequently shrivelled. I am hoping to get it to rebloom.....
I also have a phal taenalis ( nicknamed toenail ) and a phal parishii - you should look into these if you like the smaller species phals. Also a Fantasy Musick which is just as special.