This week's crop

[jkofferdahl]

The Phals seem to be getting a slightly early start this year, but that's OK with me! Most are still in spike, a few still in bloom from the Spring/Summer, and a few are just beginning to bloom, including:

Phal. amabilis. This pretty is a nicer flower this year than last, though I think last year's photo was better.


Phal. equestris 'Ruby'. This is the first flower from this particular plant, and I think it's the nicest equestris I have (though I am partial to my peloric, too).


Phal. modesta. I thought this plant was struggling, but I guess it's OK.


And finally, Phal. Equalacea (equestris x violacea). OK, this one's a primary hybrid and nt a species, but I put it here because I didn't feel like doing two posts. So sue me! The shape may be slightly nicer than last year, but I'm not going to call it.

[Shirley]

Very pretty ones! Isn't it nice to have such lovely colour this time of year. My amabilis and equestris are also in bloom right now.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They're all very pretty.

Yeah...a thing about those pesky Phal modestas...

They like lots of water and high humidity. I feel you on this plant. Just started to come to life this year. Hopefully mine will bloom next year.

For the first few months I was seriously biting my nails with the modesta cause it never grew anything.

[Ben Belton]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

The Phals seem to be getting a slightly early start this year, but that's OK with me!

Same here. I have all kinds of spikes and buds. I hope they don't all open while I am gone next week. They will probably dry out and blast.

Your flowers look great!

[greenbean]

Beautiful! I think my favorite might be the Equalacea. Wish I had a view like that.

I have one close to blooming and another in spike. Hopefully I can keep them from getting a chill in the process of moving home for my semester break. My big white NOID has the tiny beginnings of a spike. I think my parents' care set it back a bit this year (not as cool), or the second leaf it decided to pump out.

[Pilot]

Beautiful bounty you have there! I especially like the first bloom featured--- very nice. I only have one species... a schill... and it has not set a spike yet. I was hoping it would this season as it has grown so much and has several leaves. But nothing yet. Any advice? My temps go from 60 at night to 78 in the day.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Pilot

Beautiful bounty you have there! I especially like the first bloom featured--- very nice. I only have one species... a schill... and it has not set a spike yet. I was hoping it would this season as it has grown so much and has several leaves. But nothing yet. Any advice? My temps go from 60 at night to 78 in the day.

I have a couple of schillerianas, and both have turned out to be good producers; in fact, both are spiking. One is potted and one is mounted. The mounted plant is sprayed once or twice a day while the potted is watered as needed. I wish I could reveal to you a secret for getting yours to bloom, but I can't. My plants are kind of crowded together, mostly under lights in a room that's not very naturally bright (NE and NW windows), is too dry, probably doesn't get the temperature variation it should, and, in general, isn't the greatest orchid habitat in the world. For some reason, though, the plants keep growing and blooming despite the poor conditions. (Really, it's proof that orchids DO respond to threats!!)

[RosieC]

Wow, they are all gorgeous. I love the Equalacea, you can really see the equestris in it and the colour is fantastic.