One new species and updates on 4 other species

[greenbean]

I got a Phal. philippinensis in the mail today! This brings my species Phal. collection to a "grand" total of 5! It came with the hybrids that I posted in the Hybrids forum. It's a 5" seedling (leaf spread), but it was offered as a 2-3" seedling, so I'm happy! Besides, I get to watch it grow and bloom for the first time! I'm absolutely hypnotized by the leaves, and the undersides are such a vibrant and rich purple. HAPPY EVAN!!!!

That's the main reason for this thread. While I was at it, I also wanted to post an update on my other species, particularly for the amazing OB members who sent them to me (THANK YOU JOHN AND TERRI!!!!). My poor bastianii is still mad at me. It's growing just fine, but its first spike stalled from being shipped across the country. It promptly grew another, much bigger spike and a bud started to emerge from the bract. Then I moved back to school and took it with me. The bud aborted from the climate change. I can still see more buds developing in the tips of both spikes, so hopefully I'll either get a REALLY off-season bastianii bloom, or I'll at least get to see it in the next regular blooming season. My stuartiana is plugging away. Its newest leaf is still growing, and I love to watch the colors change as it matures. My equestris had a leaf just emerging when it arrived. That leaf is now over 1" long, making this cutie a colossal 2 inches across! I keep hoping to see new roots, even though it doesn't really need them yet, because that is my main indicator of a happy plant. But I'm happy that it's growing up top for now!

I'm also sharing a pic of my Phal. pulcherrima v.coerulea. It started as a sickly keiki that was just sitting unattached and slowly dying in the middle of its parent, a huge specimen plant in an on-campus gh. I took it home and it firmed up. Then it started growing ever so slowly. In the last month it has really started taking off, especially the roots, which makes me really happy! I'm hoping for blooms within a year.

Sorry for the long post. I don't have anyone here to appreciate these little things about orchids.

Phal. philippinensis


Phal. stuartiana


Phal. bastianii


Phal. equestris


Phal. pulcherrima v. coerulea

[Bird Song Farm]

Evan, you are doing great with these. They all look so healthy. You'll have blooms next time around for sure.
I can really relate to your saying "Sorry for the long post. I don't have anyone here to appreciate these little things about orchids."
It is the same with me. If I didn't have Kiki to 'talk' to I'd go nuts........hmmmmm, guess I'm quite close to that anyway!
Keep up the good work.
Al

[billc]

Very nice, Evan. I love those mottled leaves on the stuartiana.

Bill

[Robe]

Woow, they all look great!!
Stuartiana, my favourite one... I love its flowers and its leaves pattern

Please make us know about orchids movements, I like so much to know about new leaves, roots... Flower photos with no words are beautiful but sometimes a bit boring and monotonous
Keep up the good work!

[jkofferdahl]

They all look great, Evan! Nice and healthy. Don't fret over the bastianii; I have one that sat and sat and sat, then sat some more, with a 4" spike. It grew leaves, roots, more leaves, more roots. And then, BOOM! The original spike took off and two more appeared. In no time it was covered with flowers.

[quiltergal]

Hey Evan the equestris looks great! It looks like it has grown a lot since I sent it to you. Nice growing! You'll probably see a huge growth spurt in the spring. These bloom pretty young.

Love the foliage on the philippinensis! I've only seen pictures of the flowers, but never the leaves. They're beautiful in their own right!

[greenbean]

Thanks everybody!

I am definitely a phal person. My other orchids don't do nearly as well for me. And I LOVE species!

Robe, I like seeing pictures and reading about how other people's orchids are growing, too. I certainly like the flowers, but when people only post the flower pictures, you miss out on the plant itself!

I'm not really wringing my hands over the bastianii, John. I'm actually thrilled at what it HAS done, never mind that it hasn't bloomed yet. I'm sure it will give me a great show when it's ready. Till then, I can just watch it grow (mostly branching roots now), as well as my other orchids blooming and growing.

Terri, now I'm going to be counting the days until spring to see this prophesied growth spurt! It is quite happy in its new home. It's just so adorable, even without blooms! I'm glad I could show you something new with the philippinensis leaves. Personally I think that's their main feature, and the flowers (while spectacular) are a bonus. You kind of hit on the same point as Robe, that people usually just post flowers and you miss out on the plant. I love seeing plant pictures!

[RosieC]

They are looking so happy. I love the leaf colour on the stuartiana.