Phal Bronze Maiden - 2 plants, and 2 very different blooms!
 

Phal Bronze Maiden is one of my favorite Phals in my collection, and in the spring I decided to get a second one as insurance. I was surprised to find out that plants of this hybrid at various vendors seems to be from seed grown plants, as my 'back up plant' has very different blooms! I love them both now, and want to collect more plants of this cross... :biggrin:

Phal Bronze Maiden is a cross between Phal schilleriana and Phal mannii 'black'. First photo is my new plant now in bloom, the blooms clearly take after the schilleriana parent.
https://shutterbug.ponzio.net/_data/...7eef6dd-me.jpg

For comparison, this is my first plant, which has a very strong mannii influence. I love the blooms, they start out a reddish color before gradually fading to a rich yellow.
https://shutterbug.ponzio.net/_data/...61dea68-me.jpg

Wow. Those are SO different! And so stunning.

Probably one of my favourite primary hybrid, and I've NEVER been able to find one.

Where did you get them?

Great blooms :biggrin:

I lost the original tag on the first one, and don't remember where I got it. But it was 4-5 years ago already. The newer one is from Orchids Deluxe but they don't have it anymore. Claessen orchids has it but I refuse to buy anything from them anymore, and it's way over priced (32€). Perhaps this would be a good candidate for your in vitro propagation fun if you can do stem props?

I do have a couple unused flasks and media that could work for stem props. If you don't mind sacrificing the spike, I'd more than gladly accept it!

Your first one doesn't appear to show much of the schilleriana influence in the foliage, either. Love the new one.

Both of them are wonderful! I've really enjoyed seeing pictures of your first plant in the past; the form of the flowers is so lovely. :)

Both very appealing. Beautiful.

Both are really fantastic!

The mannii influenced plant looks so unusual and exotic. Unless, they had a blooming plant it would be a gamble ordering one of these, both are good though.