Phal finleyi (minus)-- out of my league? - Orchid Board

Optimist · #1 10-25-2015, 10:35 PM

So yes, I got one, but had no idea it was a very difficult phal to keep. I finally got my grocery store phals likeing the treatment I am giving them, but I am worried about minus. Am I good enough?

So far, all good, she or he has not lost his/her leaves.

What I have learned is that "minus" is deciduous, but when it is, that means that it is not happy. It just doesn't just "lose" them, it "sacrifices" them. I guess the same could be the same of fall leaves. The instructions was to keep it well watered it loves the water. I have been. I am battling a kind of mildew problem because of it.

My minus is putting out a large new root. This tells me it is very happy.

I really hate finding out that nearly everyone fails to make these guys live very long. It makes me sad.

My break with reality here are the conflicting statements that: 1) humidity does not matter, and 2) keep it moist.

My idea of watering is to mist several times a day. The new root is telling me it loves my plan, I am just not sure orchid folks would agree.

Is there something else I am missing?

Marco · #2 10-25-2015, 11:25 PM

Beautiful species. Not easy to find either.

Never know until you try. Best of luck.

katrina · #3 10-26-2015, 08:23 AM

I grow this one (from Andy's too!)...I've had it for more than a year and it's growing well and it even bloomed earlier this year.

Keep in mind, I grow under HO T5s most of the year and they are very warm and very drying. During the summer months all the plants are outside under shade cloth and have to deal with whatever Mother Nature throws at them.

Water = Mine is on the same "stick" but I added a bit of sheet moss (not sphag) to help w/some moisture retention and I water it once a day just about every day of the week. I do skip days once in awhile but I try not to do that too often. Also, I do my watering late in the day and this way the roots "go to bed" damp and I feel it helps w/making sure the little plant is well hydrated.

Light = in the summer I grow it a little brighter than some of my phal but when its inside under lights it's just typical phal light - for the most part. It's near an east window and it does get some direct morning sun for a couple of hours but then just the T5s after that.

Temps = winter = my furnace won't kick on until 58 at night and during the day the lights keep the space in the low - mid 70's. During the fall and spring w/the lights the temp in the space can be as high as the 80's during the day before I kick on the a/c.
Summer = Mother Nature in control and most often that means intermediate temps but she can be mean and sometime throw 40's at night and go as high as upper 90's during the day. Humidity being all over the place. When we are in the high 90's and low humidity I will water 2x a day but that's not very often.

HTH

Optimist · #4 10-26-2015, 09:51 AM

Wow thanks Katrina. Thorough reply! I will get some additional moss on it.

DeaC · #5 10-26-2015, 09:51 AM

IMO,I like what I see. The hybrid I have is Phal.Donnas Delight(equestris v alba x finleyi) from Big Leaf Orchids and it grows and blooms nicely for me in small bark/moss mix and usual phal. conditions.

katrina · #6 10-26-2015, 11:01 AM

You are very welcome.

I just thought of something I should've mentioned in the last post...quite important really. This guy grows under my 2' 22 watt HO T5s...and they are a good deal less intense compared to the 4' 54 watt HO T5's. Stronger than the 4' T8 but not nearly as strong as bigger T5's.

I grow a couple other phals, some angs/aerangis, and lower light bulbos under these same 22 watt bulbs. Not super strong when it comes to light intensity but they still produce a good deal of heat so they can be almost as drying as the bigger ones.

And as far as humidity is concerned...this time of the year I'm lucky if I can keep it from dropping below 20%. As long as their is sufficient water for the roots then I think you'll be good.

Again though, I haven't been growing this guy for a super long time but so far things seem to be going pretty well. I haven't killed it yet so that's a good thing.

Leafmite · #7 10-26-2015, 02:48 PM

I think that what Katrina is trying to tell you is that your culture may be working perfectly fine for you if you aren't putting your orchid under the hot lights....

Optimist · #8 10-26-2015, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I think that what Katrina is trying to tell you is that your culture may be working perfectly fine for you if you aren't putting your orchid under the hot lights....

I will need to wait and see. I do have "growth" on the smaller of the 2 leaves. I also have a new root end. I think I need to add a fan pretty quick. Like a frog fan. I will try to find one.

katrina · #9 10-27-2015, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I think that what Katrina is trying to tell you is that your culture may be working perfectly fine for you if you aren't putting your orchid under the hot lights....

Not really. I was just giving my culture and how it appears to be working for my little one.

If anything though...the "misting several times a day" may be unnecessary if there are no hot lights involved. Meaning, it likely wouldn't hurt the plant but it might not be needed if that's too much tending. I know I don't have the time (or inclination) to grow anything that needs me to mess with it several times a day. If the space isn't as dry then I'm sure once a day would be fine. Maybe. ??

Optimist- take from all my ramblings whatever you think applies to your growing conditions and ignore the rest. Trial and error and watching what happens...it's the best thing we can do when we try new plants. Worst case scenario - you kill it, right?

I've killed one of these awhile back and I've killed or severely maimed a couple of other little species phals (plus others in other groups!) and each time I have learned something from the experience. Unfortunately, the lesson w/some is that I just can't grow them and the humane thing to do is to never ever buy another one...again. Poor things will just end up tortured. LOL!

Optimist · #10 10-28-2015, 07:58 PM

I did get Andy to reply himself in an e-mail. He said pretty much the same as Katrina. They do not need as much "misting" so I cut down on the misting I will be doing something else with fans later.