Phal Schilleriana

[Pilot]

Hi All--

Been growing orchids now for about 9 going on 10 months. My first orchid ever was a phal schill. A few orchid peeps I know warned me against growing a species and looking back I can see why they said what they did but good culture really does cure the finicky way some species tend to grow. Of course, it is the fine people of this orchidboard that helped me hone my cultural care. Anyway, my phal schill grew like a weed over the summer and continued to put on new leaves into late Autumn. I was a bit concerned that it wouldn't spike this season (its first spike ever as it was a baby last year). I figured it was more into growing than flowering.

But not so. Many of my hybrids have already spiked and even one is blooming already. So I was very happy to see the state my schill was in when I watered it the other day to find this...



Its not the best angle but I assure you, its got a mitten look to it

Can anyone give me any tips of advice for a spiking species? Does the spike grow more slowly than a hybrid? I ask because my baldan's kaleidescope (who is spiking for the first time as well) is clearly outgrowing the schill and I found the kaleidescope's spike much smaller after finding my schill spike.

Thanks

[trdyl]

Ryan, Congratulations!

My schilleriana usually takes about 1.5 to 2 months to flower from spike initiation. I do keep it colder than the recommended Phal temps. I know that has a lot to do with the slow growth.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Good job!

See! Phal species are not so hard to grow compared to the hybrids!

[jkofferdahl]

Phal species really aren't that hard, and are a lot of fun.

My schillerianas are also in various stages of spike. My favorite, a v. purpura, set the spike over a month ago, but has gone into a slowdown mode since. It happens. Another is filled with buds, and has been in a very fast pace since the spike frst appeared. Typically, you can expect about 90 days from the first sign of a spike to the first flower, but be patient because Phals do what they want to do when they want to do it, and seem to defy schedules whenever possible.

[quiltergal]

Nice job! I haven't found species to be any more fussy than hybrids. I have a Phal. mannii spiking for the first time with 3 spikes! I would just keep doing what you are doing. It's obviously very happy.

[Pilot]

Thanks all-- and yes I agree, it does not seem this species (can't speak to the others as I have no others) isn't more or less difficult than your hybrids. I'm told it is a lavender color-- but we shall see.

Does anyone who has had their schills bloom before know if they had a scent? Again, I was told this one is fragrant- a rose sort of smell. I only have one other fragrant orchid and it smells of dewy sweet deliciousness in the morning P

[OrchidSue]

I think mine is fragrant, if I recall. I will know soon-it has buds coming.

Congrats on yours-species Phals are a lot of fun and I havn't found them to be particularly difficult either.

Susan

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Pilot

Again, I was told this one is fragrant- a rose sort of smell. I only have one other fragrant orchid and it smells of dewy sweet deliciousness in the morning P

Sometimes, especially with a more mature plant, you'll get a fragrance. Phal. schilleriana seems to be hit or miss, though.

[greenbean]

Congratulations! Can't wait to see those blooms!

I think I'm giving my Phal. stuartiana stage fright hovering over it constantly waiting for a spike. Like John said, Phals like to defy schedules (as do other orchids, in my experience). lol

[Royal]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Sometimes, especially with a more mature plant, you'll get a fragrance. Phal. schilleriana seems to be hit or miss, though.

Yeah, some are and some aren't. I'd bet that years of selective breeding for SIZE without regard for fragrance has moved modern lines away from it. Pity.