New to the forum and question on red phalaenopsis

[carterwaynepa]

Hi, I'm new to the forum but not orchids. I've been growing orchids for over 35 years, ran a commercial orchid business with a partner, Crystal Orchids in Harleysville PA, for over twenty years.

Yesterday I saw a phalaenopsis for sale in a supermarket. That's not unusual except I have never in my life seen one like it. It was red with perfect round shape with a little white in the center. Overall spread about 3-3 1/2 inches. It had good substance and had about ten flowers open. It was not your usual novelty red phal with open form.

Unfortunately there was no label to identify the name of the hybrid. Which is typical when wholesale orchid nurseries want to sell off excess meristems but do not want to lower the values.

All I know was that it probably came from Kellys Orchids in Fla. a wholesale outfit that I think took over the Krull Orchids company a few years back.

Any ideas?

E-mail me directly at carterwaynepa@aol.com

Thanks

[Dorothy]

Orange/red or purple/red? Not a harlequin?

[Dorothy]

Perhaps some of these are close to what you have seen -
Red Purple Phalaenopsis - Big Leaf Orchids
and Red Phalaenopsis

Here is Bedford's articles on breeding Red Phals if you are interested -
Breeding for Red Phalaenopsis* Part 1
Breeding for Red Phalaenopsis Part 2
Something to read as you wait for others to respond

[Chubidubi]

to the forum Carter
on finding your 'chids name.

[CoolPhrog]

Welcome to OB, Carter.

As you can see, we have really special people here...Dorothy you never fail to amaze me.

[Dorothy]

...

[Shirley]

Nice to have you join the OB, Wayne. Someone with your extensive experience will have lots to contribute, I'm sure. What a lucky find in your red phal. There would never be such a choice plant in a supermarket here.

[carterwaynepa]

No, as I mentioned it was a pure red phal. Round shape very similar to what you see in typical whites and pinks. Not the novelty shape that is evident in the Harlequin breeding lines. Never saw anything like it. It was supposed to have come from Kerry's Orchids in FL but they replied that they could not identify it based on my description.

I hate to purchase plants that do not have proper labels but maybe for $25 I just might if it is still there.