Phalaenopsis Bellina condition

[Irisha99]

Hi,
Just received my Phal. Bellina yesterday from orchidweb.com. Seems to have nice root system and as an added bonus has a spike. I am just concerned for the leaves. They appear yellowish and not that shiny. Bought it for $135. Never had this type of orchid and not sure if it’s normal or not. What do you guys think? Thanks!

[MrHappyRotter]

It looks good to me. It's a bit hard to tell from tiny blurry photos, though.

The leaves should be lighter in color and perhaps thinner than your average hardware store complex NOID hybrid. Shiny is good, and usually the newest leaves will be glossy, where as older leaves tend to dull out a bit with age.

OrchidWeb is pricey for sure, but their plants are consistently good quality, so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[Irisha99]

The newest leaf is shiny and glossy but the older ones appear a bit dehydrated and wrinkly. It’s a good size plant and is about to bloom too. Hope that it does great at home. Thank you for your input mrhappyrotter 😃

[fishmom]

I have a bellina that has not bloomed yet, but its leaves are on the yellowish side, very flat and on the thin side. Yours looks nice and healthy.

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by fishmom

I have a bellina that has not bloomed yet, but its leaves are on the yellowish side, very flat and on the thin side. Yours looks nice and healthy.

She is pretty yes. So excited to see her bloom 😃 thanks so much for input

[Ray]

Keep it very warm! Bellinas are less tolerant of cold than most phals.

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by Ray

Keep it very warm! Bellinas are less tolerant of cold than most phals.

Thank you Ray! In the winter season my temps drop to about 63F. Is that to low for her?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

No, it's not. 63 F night temperatures are fine. Below 60 F is too low. It does not have to be kept warmer than the temperature you mentioned.

The leaves look fine. Like with the hybrids, the lower leaves will yellow and die off over time. If the new leaves are yellowing, that is not good.

Even if the leaves all fall off, but the roots are still alive, it can still recover. It'll just take a lot of TLC and time.

[Irisha99]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

No, it's not. 63 F night temperatures are fine. Below 60 F is too low. It does not have to be kept warmer than the temperature you mentioned.

The leaves look fine. Like with the hybrids, the lower leaves will yellow and die off over time. If the new leaves are yellowing, that is not good.

Even if the leaves all fall off, but the roots are still alive, it can still recover. It'll just take a lot of TLC and time.

One older leaf yellowed and I removed it. I hope it acclimates cause I want it so much and want it to thrive. I have several phals and they are doing just fine.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you've grown Phals successfully, this species should not pose much difficulties for you.

There are more difficult species than this.