Schilleriana Murderer - Orchid Board

Nlamr · #1 11-21-2020, 11:10 AM

Ok so I have killed 3 schillerianas, 3 of them! I have just bought a 4th one in hopes that this is the one I can get right. It's beautiful, it's healthy, and I want to keep it that way. Does anyone have any tips or tricks specific to this species that could help? My other Phal species (bellina, tetraspis, and zebrina) are all growing beautifully and I have numerous other hybrids and complex hybrids that are thriving as well so not really sure what it is that I can't get right with this lady...... Thanks for any suggestions!

estación seca · #2 11-21-2020, 11:38 AM

Warmth, air at the roots, plenty of water, low light.

Mr.Fakename · #3 11-21-2020, 11:39 AM

From personal experience, Phal of the Phalaenopsis subgenus do much better with a lot of light. They exhibit a stronger mottling and more roots when grown in bright conditions.

They're also experiencing a drought period in their natural habitat and have thick succulent leaves, mine seem to react fine to drying for a while, unlike bellina.
Maybe a rest period is beneficial for them, but I didn't test that.

DeaC · #4 11-21-2020, 12:05 PM

Well, fwiw, I've a young plant from 9/2019 that I potted into one of those vanda baskets(square and slatted) with s/m and it sits on edge of growlights. I was keeping it a bit shadier and it did throw out a new leaf. Now I think a spike is developing. Lights give off a bit more heat as well and roots get aerated from an open basket. We'll see.

Roberta · #5 11-21-2020, 12:23 PM

Of the various Phal species that I grow, I have found Phal schilleriana to be the easiest and most robust. I use wood baskets, hang in the greenhouse, don't give any special treatment, and have several (from different times and different places) that are growing and blooming well. (I have found that Phal species seem to do better for me in baskets, preferably hanging, where hybrids are happy in pots) So I think general Phalaenopsis species culture pretty much covers it. My greenhouse is a bit cool and drafty in winter (night temps mostly above 60 deg F/15 deg C) but that doesn't seem to harm most things (P. violacea and bellina not so happy, other Phal. species are fine)

Nlamr · #6 11-21-2020, 01:05 PM

Thank you for all of the responses... With all three of the ones I lost they all had one thing in common, they all came in tiny pots, tightly packed with sphagnum moss, and little airation.... Typically I give plants a good amount of time to adjust in my environment before I repot them but maybe I will shorten the time with this one and get a more suitable set-up for it (for my growing conditions). I'd say this is my second favorite Phal species (bellina being the first) so I'm hopeful I can keep it happy and healthy!

estación seca · #7 11-21-2020, 01:13 PM

Sphag works well if you learn how to water with it. But most people are unable to avoid overwatering with sphag. You really do need to segregate your Phals in sphag from the others so you're not tempted. Unless you learn to use it and are disciplined not to water too much, use more open media.

Dollythehun · #8 11-21-2020, 01:51 PM

As usual, I'll buck the tide. I grow mine in moss and clay pots. They get north light, watered just before the moss is crunchy, and temp is between 63-72f. They get good air circulation.

Roberta's right, more mottling w higher light. Your choice. Mine are spiking now, I have two. ES is correct, watering moss must be an art form that I have managed. Too bad it's not a marketable skill.

Nlamr · #9 11-21-2020, 01:53 PM

I do have a few orchids in all sphag that I am able to maintain but generally I don't prefer it and none of my phals have ever done well in it in my environment.... I am actually experimenting with a couple of different medias at the moment for my moisture loving plants, and I have 3 cheapo phals that I bought just for the sake of experimenting with as well

Orchidtinkerer · #10 11-21-2020, 08:23 PM

sounds like an easy one - the reason the first 3 died was most likely the moss. Could have degraded too much.

Then again I hate generalising as generally I tend to have no problem with tricky varieties and the easiest ones I tend to struggle with. I have a phal here that has no produced a single new leaf in one whle year, I'm giving it 6 more months and after that it's getting binned. I've given it the best care possible but if it doesn't want to grow what do I make of it.

Similar story with one of my Maxillaria Tenuifolias although this one was in apalling shape when I got it - back in April - it too has not produced a single leaf or root since.