Phal season has finally begun

[camille1585]

Very nice Phals! That violacea alba is beautiful with those tinges of green on the tips of the petals.

I sadly agree with the comment that people often don't care for Phals. They are seen as run of the mill 'starter' orchids and once you are a real grower you move on to 'rarer' and more 'interesting' plants. I'm certainly not saying everyone is like that and it's a also a matter of personal taste, but it is certainly common enough. Just last week I read a post in the dutch orchid society FB group where someone was whining that EU vendors sell too many 'boring' Phals and wanted better orchids....

My collection consists mainly of Phals, and I don't think people realize how many great species and primary hybrids there are. Many species will easily grow in temperate/intermediate conditions and only a couple a true obligate warm growers, at least in my experience.