My new stuartiana and bastianii!!!!

[greenbean]

Thank you, Edward!! I can't stop looking at those leaves. They just make me smile!

[greenbean]

Still no blooms on my bastianii. The spike froze, but that doesn't mean the rest of the plant has been sitting idle! The roots have been growing and growing and...well, you get my point, and the new leaf in my previous pictures is now mature and by far the biggest leaf on the plant, a good sign I didn't mess things up.

And surprise of surprises, it started a second spike! Then I moved it from my bedroom (a shaded western exposure) to the kitchen (full eastern exposure) and the original spike started to grow too! Now it has two new roots starting as well! I can see buds starting to swell at the tip of the new spike, which is much stouter than the first spike. The first spike is still developing very slowly, but at least it's finally doing something! Here's a pic of the new spike:




Oh, and I did end up messing with success, and received the benefits! I repotted the stuartiana, not with a sphag/CHC mix as I had planned, but with a mix of CHC and coarse pumice. The roots have been growing like mad and the new leaf is just gorgeous! I'll post a pic of the new leaf when it gets a little bigger.

[quiltergal]

Nice growing Evan! My bastainii is just starting a new leaf. I got it in May or June as a TC for the Haraella project. I repotted in June and so far it seems to be very happy. I might need to move it to a brighter spot on the shelf though. Now it's being shaded by Den. atroviolaceum. You've got a nice start to a species Phal collection. How's the equestris doing?

[ChasWG]

My stuartiana has started a new leaf finally as well! Yeah!!!!!

Are these a slow grower?

[jkofferdahl]

Even, it's doing great! As it happens, my favorite bastianii (I have three) also had a spike which stalled - for almost a full year! When it got back in gear the plant also grew two others, so that when it bloomed it gave a nice show. These Phals seem to be really vigorous rooters, too. All in all, just delightful orchids.

I'm really pleased that yours is doing so well.

[greenbean]

Hi Terri! I am really getting hooked on species phals. The equestris you gave me is just growing away! The leaf that had just started when I got it is now almost as big as the last leaf and growing. The other Phal is growing a new leaf and the nobile is growing roots like crazy! I love all 3, but the equestris is just so special!

Hey Chas, good to hear your stuartiana is doing well too. It doesn't seem to be a slow grower for me. The roots are growing like mad, although the leaf is growing quite a bit slower than the roots. Aren't the new leaves just gorgeous?!

John, I can't stop thanking you for your big contribution to my small collection! Phals seem to like me, and Bast, Stewey, and I have really bonded. Still, I was surprised when the bastianii sent out a second spike. And talk about vigorous rooters! You're not kidding!