Oooh, "the first one flowered orchid"

[The Mutant]

Yeah, right, my...foot.

So, I've bought another rescuing project, a Phalaenopsis 'Singolo' that the developer, Opti-flor, claims is "the first one flowered orchid". This explains the fact that the stem has been cut right above the "single" flower, right?

Anyway, let's ignore the sales talk and move on to why I bought it; I did it because it looked so fascinatingly ugly so I just had to buy the last specimen (at a really reduced price) and see if I can get it to grow as it's supposed to. I suspect it'll become one large Phal given the right environment and when it does I'll give it away since I really don't care for Phals with large, pure white flowers.

If I can't rescue it it won't be a huge emotional loss and trying to rescue it is a good way to practice my rather undeveloped caretaker skills I think.

[billc]

It looks to me it needs to be put out if it's misery, rather than rescued. I suspect you're right, on the next blooming it will be a normal phal. That must be a product of the same marketing genius that came up with the blue phals.

Bill

[The Mutant]

Noo, don't be mean to poor lil' ugly! *pats frightened Phal on leaves*

You're absolutely right, I actually think both of them won some award at some orchid/flower show!

Yes, found the page: FloraHolland Award 2011 winners announced . The blue Phal won and this "one flowered" orchid came on third place in the Concepts category.

[camille1585]

Dutch growers come up with the strangest things! They must have taken a giant white Phal, stunted the growth of the plant with hormones, chopped the spike, and voila the result. Odd Paph like thing.

[orchidsarefun]

seems to be genuine

Optiflor.nl

the size must be the perceived market appeal....and I suppose soon in all different colours !

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

seems to be genuine

Well, only as genuine as the blue Phals! There's nothing very natural about this thing.

[orchidsarefun]

and a good catalogue.
( BTW - this doesn't mean that I especially like the offerings )
Its a good discussion to have when it comes to innovation because the "traditionalists" will always disagree with the "modernists" - as with most things. Personally I cannot stand the blue phals but I see that they are very popular and my Home Depot regularly sells out. The single -flowered phal seems to go against the grain, but I find it more appealing than some of the phals I am seeing in weird colours and spots/stripes/dots.

Isn't growing the number of orchid-lovers a good thing ?

[camille1585]

If blue Phals and odd Phals get people into growing other orchids, why not?
I'm like you, I much prefer this one over a blue Phal. The blue just screams 'Fake'!!!

By 'weird colours and spots/stripes/dots' what do you mean? Do you mean Phals along the lines of Minho Princess and other harlequin types?

[orchidsarefun]

of the ones I didn't like at Home Depot. I was curious to see the grexes. There were no tags in the pots, hence the photos on a second trip.....and the photos because the distributor told me over the phone that the Taiwan Grower didn't supply any tags but if I e-mailed them photos they would try and find out.
Well, I am still waiting. The distributor did tell me that they do private visits, so that something that I may arrange for later.
The issue with cloning is that they can relatively inexpensively flood the market. And if that colour doesn't sell, then try something else. Its a shotgun approach to marketing.
I saw one at Trader Joes that was a maroonish colour from far, but on closer examination it had blurred darker spots that were almost inextinguishable from the main colour. Yeucch !
But what I like or dislike doesn't matter bacause I am not forced to buy them. Its interesting to see though how "pop culture" is influencing what is available at retail and big box stores.


Oh - I looked up Minho Princess. I don't like the contrast against the white, but who knows if the colours were more pastel and matched......I am sure there must be one like that out there !

[Phal grower]

I like the "thing". I would rather a normal Phal but still take care of it ok?