They followed me home, but what are they?
 

During a recent grocery store outing, I found some smaller orchids mixed in with the regular houseplants. They were only $9.99 each, and somehow they ended up in my shopping cart :scratchhead: They were in bloom, and as a bonus I found 2 plants in each pot when I repotted (I always repot new purchases) so I now have 4 plants :) The marker on one said Den Mandarin, and the other is Phal Flora Ark; I am attaching pictures. I have never had miniature orchids, are these miniatures? Do I care for them the same as for my regular Dens and Phals? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Nice tagalongs, Judi. I don't think they are true miniatures, just smaller versions. Your re-potting is right on, so you obviously have a handle on the basics, at least. I'd just treat them like regular plants.

Kim

Judi, great picks! I really like the Phalaenopsis you bought.

Judi,

Had no luck with either name in RHS database. Hoped their parentage might give some indication to size. Your Phal may have a strong species, ie equetris, background and be smaller than some of the hybrids we often see in big-box stores. It was certainly a good find.

Charlie
Poughkeepsie, NY native

Wow! Very beautiful! All I ever find is bologna and stuff like that! ;)

Very pretty ! same here kiki just $$ snatching food :(

Great Phal, it's so pretty! I looked them up in Orchidwiz, and neither one is there. Either they are unregistered crosses, or the names are just trade names given by the grower/breeder.

That phal is amazing. My grocery store only carries boring, sickly orchids.

I picked up a Phal Flora Ark,too (also a grocery-store purchase). I have it mounted upside down with all the other orchids that I put out for the summer...Love the colors in such a petite bloom.:love:

You got a deal, though--I paid half the price you did, but then I only got one plant--When you divided it, you were still left with a couple of beauties. Congratulations;)

Thanks for the infio and compliments :blushing: , this was the one and only time I saw them at the grocery, so I guess it was a good thing I needed groceries that day! Unfortunately there was no info on the tag about the greenhouse it came from. I did look up equestris, and some of the pictures of the flowers were very similar in shape, but they are supposed to have from 6 to 8 inch leaves and my biggest leaf is 4 inches, so it has some growing to do--unless it was crossed with a miniature. I do hope it will be prolific flowerer like the equestris! I always fall into the trap of having to "look" at orchids any store might have and usually they are common chids I already have and sickly to boot :bad: but once in a blue moon I have a lucky find :cheer: