Phal amabilis - Orchid Board

LauraN · #1 03-27-2010, 11:08 PM

So...everyone that know me, knows that I kill 90% of all phals.This one however, has managed to survive and even thrive. Quite the rarity in my orchid room

nutgirl · #2 03-27-2010, 11:23 PM

Lovely bloom!

Maureen

Alvin · #3 03-27-2010, 11:49 PM

good job...Lauran^^ hope can see more of your flower's picture ya^^

trdyl · #4 03-28-2010, 01:16 AM

I love is species. Great job!

jkofferdahl · #5 03-29-2010, 01:28 PM

A lovely amabilis, too!

Royal · #6 03-29-2010, 03:41 PM

I love it Laura! It looks more like aphrodite to me though. Probably 80% of the plants coming from Taiwan labeled as amabilis are actually aphrodite.

The main differences are the callus and the side lobes. The "toothed" appearance of the callus and the tubular effect of the side lobes are characteristics of aphrodite. True amabilis rarely have this nice closed, round form that your plant shows. I actually prefer aphrodite.

Royal · #7 03-29-2010, 03:43 PM

Check out this site (one of my favorites).

Phalaenopsis species by alphabetical order.

LauraN · #8 03-29-2010, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the great info Royal. I'll have to give it a closer look.
The plant is one that H&R had in their display at Redlands last year.

Royal · #9 03-29-2010, 05:34 PM

It's a killer flower, looks like the spike is branching too - gotta love that! Yes, some have even been awarded as an amabilis, and hybrids have been registered incorrectly. I always thought that judges or the RHS would catch this type of mistake, but most just trust the tag, I guess.

Questioning the identity of a plant can really make some people angry. Thanks for taking my comments as they were intended - as a discussion amongst friends. I'm NOT an expert so I cant be positive, but I've had this same discussion with other very experienced growers whose opinions I trust. Once the differences are pointed out, it's relatively easy to distinguish between the two.

LauraN · #10 03-29-2010, 07:04 PM

Now if I could just find someone that could identify my Liparis that is labeled condylobulbon(which it's not)I'd be so much happier!
I am always willing to learn more about my orchids. I'll try and find the photo of last years blooms as I seem to remember they were larger and slightly different looking...