white phal NOID cv??

[catherinecarney]

Hi all--

I found what I consider an unusual Phal. in our local Kroger last week. It is white, but the 1" or so flowers are borne in multibranching sprays. The overall effect is far lighter and more delicate than even the normal mini phals. In a way the flowers seem to dance on the ends of the sprays, sort of the way that oncidiums do.

Base flower color is white, with pale pink vein like markings down the back of each petal/sepal. A few yellow/lavendar markings on the base of the lip and "throat." Lip is forward pointing with two small "hornlike" projections at the tip.

Leaves are green, no markings, and are "full sized" when compared to my "normal" white phal.

I will post a picture when later tonight when I can get the cranky teenager to help (yes, I'm tech challenged and tech phobic).

I have google searched and come across some Phal. equestris hybrids with a similar "feel" to the flowers, but no matches. Any suggestions for where else to look would be appreciated!

Catherine

[SJF]

Could it be an equestris?
Does it resemble this one?

[tucker85]

Chances are it's not a species but a hybrid. There are several species that have lots of small flowers on branching spikes. Breeders cross these with other phals to develop plants that they think will appeal to orchid collectors. There are many nice hybrids with masses of small white flowers that make very nice displays. Unless there was a tag on your plant, it would be almost impossible to know for sure what it is. Just enjoy.

[catherinecarney]

Yeah, I figure it's probably a hybrid of some sort--but not the usual thing I find at the grocery store or the big boxes. I don't necessarily HAVE to have and ID--it's lovely either way--but I wanted to see if anyone recognized it in case there's something in the parentage that might mean more specialized care.

The reason I'm thinking it may have some equestris in it is the smaller flower size and the multibranching habit--from what I've read so far (esp on the bigleaf website that specializes in phals), equestris can contribute the branching habit to crosses.The structure of the lip and column are very similar to the equestrix picture SJF posted above, BTW, but the spike on mine is more delicate in proportion to the flowers (if that makes sense).

Probably the one that looks most like it as far as spike habit is pix I've seen of Phal. aphrodite var. formosana, but the flowers on the one I have are smaller and more delicate.

I'll post a pic tonight and maybe I'll get lucky (I can always hope)!

[catherinecarney]

Ok, sorry there's no picture yet--my tech support (aka cranky teenager) is swamped with homework tonight....I'm at work all weekend, so it may be next week before I have a picture posted

I've done a bit more digging and it looks like this phal is a "multiflora type." Something along the lines of Timothy Christopher "Floribunda" looks pretty close--size, color, characteristics, and overall "feel" of the plant seem to match up.

Anyone know of a list of Phal primary hybrids I can use to keep searching??

Catherine