Pretty Mottled Leaves on Phal
 

I just saw a miniature Phal with a mottled effect on its leaves, and after trying to gently rub the spots off to see if they were fake, I decided to buy it, but I just thought I'd double check that the leaves are actually patterned instead of it being something artificial.

The flowers are pretty even if it does turn out the leaves aren't naturally patterned, I love these miniature types with their masses of flowers!

https://i.imgur.com/vBKxdHD.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/JlWUyHk.jpg

Will new leaves also have this patterning? Is there anything I can do to help enhance it - I know some variegated plants need more light to keep their patterns, are orchids also like this?

I hope you have taken it out of this wrapper? Likely there is a parent with mottled leaves and they will retain their pattern with proper care.

I got it on my lunch break at work, so it's going to have to stay in the wrapper for a few more hours until I can take it home and sort it out properly! Poor things being stuck in these wrappers, I've got a phal at home where the leaf is still stuck pointing upwards because it had grown that way sitting on the shop shelf.

Ah exciting! I wasn't sure whether you could get phals with mottled leaves, so hopefully it'll keep them! The stems are mottled as well, and the underside of the leaves is purple, never seen one like this in a supermarket before!

looks a lot like Phalaenopsis schilleriana or a close hybrid :- Phalaenopsis schilleriana

Thanks for this link! Looking at more pictures of that species, it looks very similar to my orchid :) looks like it'll keep the pretty leaves then, that's good!
I was a bit worried because I've seen some weird things done to orchids in supermarkets - the usual dyed ones are quite common, but I've also seen "sparking" ones which I think are just sprayed with glitter, so you can never be too careful!

That looks like a beautiful orchid, callym. Just looking at the pictures, before I even read all of your post, I thought I was looking at a Phal. Schilleriana. I am curious, though. Was it identified as a miniature? It's really hard to tell how big it is in the photos. If that's what it is, I don't think it's going to stay small. On the other hand, if somebody has hybridized a miniature that has leaves and flowers like Phal. Schilleriana, I'll be on the lookout for one. :)

There are a number of Phal species with beautifully mottled leaves, which they often pass on to hybrid progeny. As dangerouseddy mentioned, Phal schilleriana is one of them. Another is Phal. stuartiana.

Nice find! I got a mini somewhat similar to yours, it ended up being scented too. The patterning on mines leaves isn’t as nice though.

It said "Miniature orchid" on the label, in-store it was with quite a few other miniature ones, but this was one of two that had the mottled leaves, the others were just regular mini phals. I sort of hope it does get big, it'd be lovely to have a big phal with these leaf patterns!

I never realised phals could have patterned leaves, I'll have to keep my eyes open for any more!

Thanks! I don't think my one is scented, that'd be amazing if it was though! I don't have any flowering-size plants that are scented yet!

So far I have 3 scented phalaenopsis, but they only emit scent in the afternoon and I have to literally stick my nose right into the flower to smell them. They’re kept on the bright side in my office. I have a couple at home that might be scented, but the light isn’t as good so I’m not sure if it’s the conditions or if they truly don’t have a scent.