Any ideas on genus?
 

G'day all.

I like that message that appears if you haven't posted for a few weeks, kinda nice, so I figured I'd better get something up here or it'd be kinda rude ;-)

Now, I'm not sure if I'm asking about genus as such...family? I know this isn't a dendrobium, and while it's closer to a vanda my dad tells me I'm way off base there. It's not that much like a vanda - some similarities in the growth form and kinda sorta similar roots, but they're way too prolific with the roots to convince me it's a vanda.

I have 5 of these, I'm sure they're identical to each other. They're just coming back to life after a rough time (partly spent living for a few months in a shed with poor light and no water). I know it's probably impossible for an accurate ID until they flower, and that even then it may not be possible. But the family name would be good, and when they flower at least I'll be able to post the "help me" under the genus/family as opposed to a guess. And I may even be able to find them myself if I can narrow down the search a bit.

The good news is the reddish/purple cast on the underside of the leaves, which is more pronounced in good light. That might help a bit. Unusual roots, they will send perhaps 6-8 all at once, then they stall in their growing until the next set of roots appears. No sign of spikes as yet but my fingers and toes are crossed.

The largest of the plants - the one in the black pot pictured - is about 24 centimetres wide. For you non-metric folks, that'd be just under 10 inches or thereabouts.

Cheers,
Aus.

PS - please also excuse the photography. I'm working on it :-)

hey,
I am very sure, that the two pics on the left show Phalaenopsis plants, or "from the Phalaenopsis alliance (Doritaenopsis etc.)"

cheers
whiteorchid

Many thanks Whiteorchid - I didn't know I have a Phal!

Minor correction, I noticed after I posted (and I went back to commune with my plants) that I have six of these and not five - one was hiding in back. They're all potted in charcoal and I've just read they need a nice open potting mix - as they've probably been in charcoal for years and have survived, it seems like a good idea to stick with it to me. Now to wait for some flowers!

Cheers,
Aus.

hey Aus,
I think,
that charcoal is not a suitable medium to grow orchids :(

when I was younger, I also grew Phals,
and they are presently grown in "firbark"
very open mix in "transparent" pots.

if you grow them in charcoal,
you have to fertilize them permanently.

nevertheless,
Phals are not so difficult to grow and flower :)

cheers,
whiteorchid

Hello Aus
I would agree that they are more of a Doritis or hybrid with it. The best potting mix for you would be a mix of course bark with a bit of charcoal added. Charcoal is really not that bad a medium to use but it is necessary to repot every 2 to 3 years.The Doritis ( & hybrids ) could take a reasonable amount of light but as they have been in a very shaded place do it gradually. As it is virtually the middle of your winter it would be a good time to start increasing the light now.
One more thing - if Brisbane still has water restrictions you may have to work out a medium that will hold a bit more water between waterings BUT still allows good drainage & airflow

Hi Aus, good to see you back!!

Sure looks like you do have Phals. and actually they don't look to bad for the way you found them!

Looks like they could use a re-pot. Use medium grade fir bark that you soak over night before use.

Trim off any dead/rotted roots, sprinkle the cuts with Cinamon, set the plants down so the new roots are in the medium. Use the same pot or as small a pot as you can. If you soak the roots before re-potting you'll find you can carefully curve/bend the roots to fit the pot, but be gentle and don't force, they snap very easily.

This should get you off to a good start, oh, place in an east window if possible, no direct mid-day sun, water only when almost dry and keep us posted with pictures and questions.

Also, this link should help with basic care/culture questions.

http://www.orchidboard.com/Phalaenop...ure-Care-Sheet

Al

My suggestion is very different. After observing the growing media, shape and color of leaves, and root system could this possibly be a variety of Rhyncostylis? I have a mature one. The younger leaves are rounded at the tips and always have a blush on the underside. The mature leaves are more elongated and it has a prolific root structure that enjoys large grade charcoal and/or large chuncks of bark. I have the Gigantia type which has stripes on the leaves. I'm not sure if othe types of Rhycostylis exhibit the striping. Maybe some other members could comment on the Rhyncostylis possiblity.

Bird song farm

Whilst I agree about soaking the bark & trimming the roots etc. brisbane ( along with the Eastern seaboard )has /had very severe water restrictions which would mean that he may be allowed to water once per week - if that. Also most Australians do not grow plants near a window but either in a glasshouse or shade house depending on the genera grown. Lastly, depending how close to the coast he lives he may even be able to grow them outside - even under a tree. Brisbane is considered temperate to sub tropical. Even in Sydney which is further south, people can grow some Phal's /Doritis species & hybrids in a cold glasshouse as long as they live in a frost free zone. Although the "flag" on my title shows Thailand I was born & bred in Sydney before moving to SEA & my glasshouses & shadehouse are still at home at my mothers place - with the odd Phal hybrid in them or they were last October !!.
The caresheets that are on the forum really apply to people in Nth America & Europe where they experience cold winters. The only state(s) in Australia that the sheet would apply to would be Tasmania, Victoria or Sthn NSW. Even then Australian growers have to modify what is published to suit their growing conditions

Aus, list to Al.... 'cause he's got significant years doing this...and I mean significant, the 'ol f@r! :rofl: The other thing that will help get things back into the pot all in one piece is to soak the roots and base in warm, NOT HOT, water or if you have it KLN or SuperThrive (per container instructions) for 5 to 10 minutes. Then gently place the base of the plant at a 90 deg angle to the edge of the pot and slowly "rotate" it into the container. I like to place some larger chunks of bark in the bottom first...some use styrafoam peanuts...don't like the peanuts. Then holding the plant in place fill'er up tapping the sides of the container to get things to settle in a bit. I find the soak softens the roots and makes them more "workable" and the KLN reduces the "shock" of the transplant.

Sorry Junebug but they are either a Doritis or Phal hybrid - inclined to say Doritis. Rhync's have a distinct "notch "on the end of the leaf.