Any opinions on what is the 'best' miniature phal? - Orchid Board

greenpassion · #1 10-19-2011, 11:01 AM

What I mean by 'best' is one that is super easy and blooms for more than a month or so. Maybe there is no such thing, but I'd love to break into mini's. I do have one that I got from Price Chopper, and although I know it's phal, I don't know more than that about it. Also, do they require different care than full size phals??

silken · #2 10-19-2011, 12:41 PM

I only have 2 mini phals, both NOID ones. But they both take the same care as my regular phals. They are in smaller pots of course, based on their root and plant size so they do dry out a wee bit sooner.

Many of the minis have Phal equestris in them which is a small free blooming species. It usually branches quite easily and produces quite a few blooms. One of mine is in bloom now and the other is a super mini I picked up in bloom last spring. I just noticed yesterday that it has 1 spike just starting and it looks like another one as well, but will know for sure in a few days. In my opinion the minis are quite easy to bloom and last quite long. can't really recommend a specific one although Phal. Mini Mark seems popular.

tucker85 · #3 10-19-2011, 01:02 PM

There are different kinds of minis. Some, like the one Silken mentioned, are related to Phal equestris and they have fairly long spikes with lots of little flowers. Others are related to phal violacea or phal bellina and they have short spikes that rebloom each season. They can be fragrant also. You don't want to cut the spikes off those types. Some mini's or novelty phals can be very expensive and I would stay away from the expensive ones until you feel comfortable growing them. They are a little more sensitive to overwatering than larger phals but generally need the same care.

Phal. Orchid World 'Bonnie Vasquez' is a highly awarded cross on short spikes.

Phal I-shin salmon joy is fragrant

Dtsp Fire cracker blue martin has very small flowers that bloom sequentially for several months

Merlyn · #4 10-19-2011, 01:11 PM

Mini Mark grows into a full sized Phal !!! Mine is in a 6" pot now but regularly puts out 2 spikes. My equestris 'Hana Nguyen' AM/AOS is in a 5" pot but only 5" above the rim after 6.5 years ! It puts out 2 spikes a year and keikis on each after blooming !!

Neither are minis but more like midis !!

Forgot to tell you, Hana is a sequential bloomer and consequently is in bloom for 6 - 10 months at a time. I have another equestris 'Riverbend' AM/AOS that has been in constant bloom since August 2005 right now with 2 blooming spikes that have branched into 7 !!! It's a full sized plant in an 8" pot now.
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tucker85 · #5 10-19-2011, 01:18 PM

Wow, Merlyn, your Phal equestris 'Hana Nguyen' is a monster. Nice growing.

Merlyn · #6 10-19-2011, 01:21 PM

Thanks, had it since 10/2006. Check out my update pix !

OOPS ! Mini mark since 10/06 Hana since 3/05 !!

NICE BLUE MARTIN !!!

tucker85 · #7 10-19-2011, 01:24 PM

Amazing!

zxyqu · #8 10-19-2011, 01:36 PM

Merlyn, that Hana is sick. How many plants are actually growing int he pot. It looks like there are kieki's growing on top of kieki's there. And, you've got 2 more growing on the ends. Care to share some of those kieki's

Merlyn · #9 10-19-2011, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxyqu

Merlyn, that Hana is sick. How many plants are actually growing int he pot. It looks like there are kieki's growing on top of kieki's there. And, you've got 2 more growing on the ends. Care to share some of those kieki's

Yeh, there's so many basal keikis that I never did know which one was the original !!!

I can be persuaded to trade, whatchagot ?

zxyqu · #10 10-19-2011, 02:00 PM

Actually, right now I've got just about squat trade wise. But I'm gonna take note of this, in case something comes in that can be traded. Kieki's like that just can't go to waste if I see them. Great growing, and if no-one seems to bite in a couple months, I'll be back!

Back on topic: Greenpassion, agreeing with Tucker, it depends on what you mean by mini. Most equestris hybrids I'd considered mostly mini, and I'm a fan thanks to their ability to produce LOTS of buds, fairly regularly. Maybe look into Kuntrarti Rarashati (venosa x equestris). They are fairly small (<10" tall, ~4-6" leafspan) when they'll first start blooming. Mine have gotten a bit larger, but the scent is worth it.
Let us know what you're looking for in a mini