How Are Species Phalaenopsis Propagated?

[NYCorchidman]

Now that I have my very first species, I am very curiousn to know if species phals are mericloned like the mass-produced hybrid phals, or if they are generally grown from the seeds.

Thank in advance!

[orchidsarefun]

they are propagated exactly the same way as hybrids - by seed and mericloning, and for the same reasons. Bellina, for example, that are sold for $$$$ are all clones. Norton-strain violacea are essentially all clones. Some breeders cross 2 different species clones in an effort to improve the progeny - seed propagation. Usually the best of the seed progeny are then cloned. Big Leaf Orchids does a lot of seed propagation.
This is a clone -
Orchids By Hausermann: Phalaenopsis schilleriana
Hausermanns indicate a clone with the prefix CH in the code.

[naoki]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

Bellina, for example, that are sold for $$$$ are all clones. Norton-strain violacea are essentially all clones.

This is a clone -
Orchids By Hausermann: Phalaenopsis schilleriana
Hausermanns indicate a clone with the prefix CH in the code.

Are you sure about these info? There are some mericloned species Phals (e.g. P. bellina 'Ponkan', or P. tetraspis 'C1'), but I wouldn't say all P. belina are mericloned. I would say that the majority of species Phals are seed propagated (and some are stem-propped, which is a form of cloning, but not same as mericloning). I didn't know Nortron strain is mericloned, neither.

I have guessed CH is coming from Ching Hua. There are quite a few Paphs with CH, which doesn't make sense with your interpretation of the code. The paphs with FV are from Fox Valley. Paphs can be mericloned, but it is not cost effective.

[orchidsarefun]

I think I mixed up the Hausermann codes. The CH code means that it was seedling raised and a Z means it is a clone/mericlone. This can be sort-of verified by looking at the cattleya mericlones - all Z codes, and then at the cattleya seedlings - all CH codes. Whether that coding is applicable every time and whether it is right, I don't know 100%. Well - since I was told that the schilleriana in question was a clone when I bought it, then you can see why I made the mix-up.
They may also be from Ching Hua. I'd have to ask Hausermanns specifically when I was there - but I know they do their own crosses because they told me they do and also because they have a propagation room I have toured.
I am not saying all Bellina are cloned, just the really expensive ones - and probably through stem propagation. As for Norton-strain - I was told that all the "good" ones are stem-propagated, but I know many are also seed propagated because the cross is always mentioned in those instances.
But you are right with "hearsay" information, stuff that you are told - while it may make sense - doesn't mean that its 100% correct if you don't do your own due diligence.....and if you can find a couple of people to discuss it with. For example if I am told that xx happens and I am told that in front of a number of people who don't disagree, then I tend to take xx as a general 'fact' until proven otherwise. A good example of this is when I was told that 100% sphagnum moss is 'bad' for phals and causes root rot - and that may be the case for the majority of people - but I experimented and found that its the best medium for my phals, in my conditions. But in the meantime I had phals that didn't do anything for years because I had them in 100% bark. I still come across different people, even an AOS presentation, that say that more than 25% sphagnum is the worst medium for growing phals successfully...

[naoki]

You are lucky that you can visit them easily! Thanks for the info. Z as clones may be right. In Paph, the division had Z prefix, too. Maybe CH is just plants from seeds as you said. If you get any confirmation about the meaning of prefix, I'd like to know.

I agree sphags are good. It does require more careful water management, though. There are scientific experiments showing that Phals (hybrid was used) grow much better with more water retentive media than pure bark. They added Peat moss, which is another thing most hobbyists dismiss as orchid media.

[NYCorchidman]

How about P. philippinensis since that's the one I have??

Also, I see most of them have this huge dangly leaves while I have seen very few whose leaves were rather short and nice.
Mine is young with only five leaves but it is definitely one of those with large long leaves. Oh, well...
At least they are pretty. haha