Phal. stuartiana - Orchid Board

The Mutant · #1 02-08-2014, 08:59 AM

I believe this might be a Phal. stuartiana var. punctatissima, so I'm going to sell it as soon as the temperatures are better here in Sweden. I've been trying to get my hands on an ordinary stuartiana, but that seems impossible! Oh, well, the hunt goes on...

I think this plant was the last one the vendor had left. It's an old plant and it only had two leaves when I got it this summer and it still only has two leaves (not the best mottled ones either...). To say that I'm disappointed... well, at least it was healthy when I got it, so I can't complain that much I guess. I just can't wrap my head around how much trouble I have finding an ordinary, healthy Phal. stuartiana here in Europe...

It only has 14 flowers, since one of the branches plus some buds dried during the development of the spike. The spike is ridiculously long and it causes me all sorts of problems every time I'm watering my Phals. Even if I'm not watering this one, it's still in the way... If I had the conditions for it, I would mount all my mottled leafed Phals, 'cause their spikes are so very much in the way, plus they get monstrous root systems and have to be repotted every year.

Anyway, enough complaining and more showing:

tucker85 · #2 02-08-2014, 10:19 AM

Beautiful! P. stuartiana is one of my favorite species. I agree with you that it can be a slow growing plant. I've had problems with a spike occasionally failing to mature also. But I still love the flowers. I'm thinking about mounting mine because it seems to me that species often do better mounted while hybrids grow better in pots.

Leafmite · #3 02-08-2014, 11:29 AM

Wow! What a beautiful array of blooms!
I find it interesting that Europe and the US has a very different selection available. I am often hunting for various angraecums or other odd orchids and it drives me crazy when I find that they are ALL in Europe and none are to be found in the US. So, yes, I can see your frustration. Good luck!