One new species and updates on 4 other species

[greenbean]

I got a Phal. philippinensis in the mail today! This brings my species Phal. collection to a "grand" total of 5! It came with the hybrids that I posted in the Hybrids forum. It's a 5" seedling (leaf spread), but it was offered as a 2-3" seedling, so I'm happy! Besides, I get to watch it grow and bloom for the first time! I'm absolutely hypnotized by the leaves, and the undersides are such a vibrant and rich purple. HAPPY EVAN!!!!

That's the main reason for this thread. While I was at it, I also wanted to post an update on my other species, particularly for the amazing OB members who sent them to me (THANK YOU JOHN AND TERRI!!!!). My poor bastianii is still mad at me. It's growing just fine, but its first spike stalled from being shipped across the country. It promptly grew another, much bigger spike and a bud started to emerge from the bract. Then I moved back to school and took it with me. The bud aborted from the climate change. I can still see more buds developing in the tips of both spikes, so hopefully I'll either get a REALLY off-season bastianii bloom, or I'll at least get to see it in the next regular blooming season. My stuartiana is plugging away. Its newest leaf is still growing, and I love to watch the colors change as it matures. My equestris had a leaf just emerging when it arrived. That leaf is now over 1" long, making this cutie a colossal 2 inches across! I keep hoping to see new roots, even though it doesn't really need them yet, because that is my main indicator of a happy plant. But I'm happy that it's growing up top for now!

I'm also sharing a pic of my Phal. pulcherrima v.coerulea. It started as a sickly keiki that was just sitting unattached and slowly dying in the middle of its parent, a huge specimen plant in an on-campus gh. I took it home and it firmed up. Then it started growing ever so slowly. In the last month it has really started taking off, especially the roots, which makes me really happy! I'm hoping for blooms within a year.

Sorry for the long post. I don't have anyone here to appreciate these little things about orchids.

Phal. philippinensis


Phal. stuartiana


Phal. bastianii


Phal. equestris


Phal. pulcherrima v. coerulea