a couple small phals I'd like help with

[69ingkangaroos]

Just got into orchids, already up to 12.... quickly becoming an addiction, and now I'm going crazy trying to find the scientific names of the new orchids I have that didn't come with tags. I'd prefer ones with tags, but seeing a beautiful one in a big box store just labeled phal at an amazing price is oh so hard to pass up. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

The white with spots one.... dark spots are almost a burgundy color in person. very dark, with white background on the exterior petals, a little yellow on the center. (sale plant from lowes for 5 bucks, only has one open bloom buy healthy roots and flower stalks)

The dark purple one is very very very deep purple, white around the edges but only a small bit. Was full price from trader joes

The red one has smaller leaves compared to the other two, and what seem to be more pointed petal tips. A very red... not pink, more like a garnet. The color of the blooms made me buy, and that was full price from a local garden center.

Any hints would be greatly appreciated! Ive tried googling, but most google results are to sell "*color* mini orchid" and not so much into the scientific name part of said beauty! Saved another at lowes that had a tag with no blooms (phal fullers sunset). and another from walmart (amazing roots and leaves but no blooms) with no tag... cant wait on that to bloom to start this process with that one! Thanks again!

[fooferdoggie]

I think these are not really named just hybrid phalanposis. bred by the millions for the box stores. be sure to check out trader joes they have some nice oncidiums with fragrance.

[69ingkangaroos]

Thanks for the advice! They're pretty regardless, but knowing the species that make the hybrids and whatnot intrigue me. The middle pic with the dark purple was from trader joes but was gifted that one. Need to make a trip up there! Thanks so much for the fast reply!

[fooferdoggie]

I notice now most of the stores that have orchids pretty much have the same colors.
we got this guy at a local box store use blooms the spike is over 4' long. here is a great facebook group "Orchids Trade and Sale" some really good prices sandlots of interesting stuff. I also check eBay too. though we are almost out of room for more they add up fast.

[Bulbopedilum]

Complex hybrid probably. Stores often sell random hybrids. I don't mean random in a negative way btw, just neutral. Some of the hybrids sold are actually quite cool! Just say it is a phalaenopsis "NoID", short for 'No Identification"

[Fishkeeper]

Mass-produced phals are just whatever crosses make pretty flowers, probably with little to no records about what exactly they are. It's nigh-on impossible to sort out the genetic line. They're very nice plants, but they can't be given any definitive level.

[NotNoticable]

The second one looks like Phal Mini Black Pearl, i have one like it.

[Paphluvr]

The only way to know a plants name for sure is to buy one with a tag giving the name or parentage (and that is not always a guarantee). Assigning it a name because it "looks like" something should be a no-no. Enjoy it for it's beauty but it should forever remain a Phal. NOID.

[NotNoticable]

We know that, they just wanted some possible ideas.

[Leafmite]

One way to try to get the exact names of your plants is to talk to the manager at the store and find out from where the orchids came. Sometimes the websites of those vendors will have the names of the orchids. If not, contacting the place might yield the name or at least more information. Good luck!

Many of the orchids sold at box stores have quite a bit of Phalaenopsis amabilis in them. Some of the smaller ones might have equestris. Then, to get different colors and shapes, other orchids are often added to the mix.

Here is an article that might interest you:

Development of Phalaenopsis Orchids for the Mass-Market