Hello! I'm from Holland :)

[Sanne]

My name is Sanne and I'm from Holland. I bought my first Orchids this week. I really love the flowers of the Phalaenopsis and I'm curious which spicies it is exactly. So therefore I made a couple of pictures:


Number 1


Close-up


Number 2


Close-up


Number 3

Could someone please tell my the name of the Phalaenopsis'?

I've read allready a lot on the propagation of Orchids, and I would like to try it at home . But I have a few questions:
Where can I buy Orchid (Phalaenopsis) seed?
What is the best time to fertilize the flowers? I read that the flower is going to fade very quickly after that fertilization and I want to enjoy the flower as long as possible. Is it also possible to fertilize it succesfully when it is almost going to fade by itself?

I've got another question. On the picture below you see a bud in a very early stadium, but it has a weird color. What is happening? Is it dehydrated?



Okay, a lot of questions, but that is because I'm a complete beginner in the world of the Orchids

Greetings,
Sanne

[RosieC]

Hi Sanne,

Welcome to Orchid Board

I'm afraid identification of Phalenopsis is almost imposible as there are so many hybrids many of which are very similar to each other. Unless you know that these are definately a species rather than a hybrid it's unlikly you will ever know their name. (Hybrids also have names but not all of them do).

We call them NOID (for 'No ID' when they don't have a name) and don't worry, they are fantastic Phals and just as pretty for not having a name.

Your last one looks similar to one of mine (in my avatar) but that is also a NOID (and my favorite Phal).

Here is a tip for finding a name though which may work if you have only just bought them. If they had tag in the pot with the nursary's website then take a look at that. If the nursary has pictures of the orchids they sell with the names, and if one of them looks like yours, then you can be pretty certain that this is the name of your Phal. Because nursaries tend to only stock one Hybrid of each colour/pattern then you can sometimes get an ID that way. Currently this is the only way I have got names for any of mine but it did not work in all cases.

[RosieC]

Sorry, didn't answer your other questions.

Propagation is a complex business for orchids. You can't just get some seeds and put them in a pot. Take a look at our propagation sub-forum, read lots there and ask any questions you have.

Propagation - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

The last picture looks like you have 'Bud Blast' on this bud. This can sometimes be a sign of problems on the orchids BUT it is also quite common on Phals when they are moved from the nursary/store to your home. They object to the change in enviroment and while the orchid can usually adapt quite quickly it can mean the loss of some flowers.

Is the orchid in a clear pot? If you can see the roots do they look either plump and green (when watered) or silvery/white (when it is ready for more water)?

If you can't see the roots it may be worth tiping it on one side and knocking out some of the medium so you can see the roots. Many people advise re-potting new orchids straight away so you can check on the health of the roots although I've never done that (yet).

You don't want brown mush roots... that is a sign of root rot and that it has been overwatered (which is far worse for Phals than underwatering).

As I said above, 'bud blast' can just be a normal thing after it is moved, but it is best to check the roots to ensure it is not something more sinister.

[Sanne]

Hi Rosie,

Thanx for your answers!

The roots are nice and green so I assume the plant is healthy.

I read how it works with the propagation of Orchids. It is quite difficult, but Í'd like to give it a shot
I will ask my questions on propagation on the special board later on.

Greetings,
Sanne

[RosieC]

It should be OK then.

Remember to let the roots go silver/white between each watering, for Phals this is the best way to avoid overwatering. They like to fully dry out between waterings and the roots going silver is a sign of this.

[camille1585]

Sanne!!

Nice to see more people from the Netherlands! (Even though I'm not dutch. I just live there ). Great orchids you picked up! Like Rosie said, names are almost impossible to find for these hybrid phals since there are so many look alikes. The spotted one is very popular, I've seen ones like it in many places.

[Blueszz]

Hello Sanne,
welcome on board :-)
I'm Dutch too, grow several sorts of orchids: Phalaenopsis, Oncidium alliance, Australien Dendrobiums like kingianum and xdelicatum, Den. nobile and Ludisia and Pahphiopedilum.

A great way to determine when to water orchids is using a skewer, for instance a "satéstokje". Stick one in the middle of your pot and leave it there. Use always the same hole to stick it back. When you are about to water the plant, pull it out, and look/feel the stick.
For Phals I want them to look dry but feel a bit cold when I hold it against my lip.
After a while you can feel on the weight of the pot if they need to be watered. By the way, if the roots look silverish, but you can see tiny water droplets on the inside if the pot (when they are in translucent pots), don't water yet ;-)

You bought beautiful Phal's and the pictures are beautiful! Be careful, once you got bitten by the orchid bug... your collection will grow!

[Lagoon]

Hello Sanne!
Welcome to OB & to the wonderful world of orchids
Sweet new Phals!