Phal Violacea var. Coerulea - Orchid Board

Pete · #1 03-14-2010, 08:09 PM

I purchased this phal species via a BIN on e-bay this weekend. I was very reluctant to purchase an orchid on e-bay as I was/am concerned about the quality of the plant. However, after lurking on these boards for a couple of weeks, I searched some threads regarding e-bay sellers and found that Kawamoto came highly recommended.

I liked the look of the flower and the plant should adapt well in my East facing window. However, I'm sure that the plant won't be thrilled going from Hawaii to a permanent residence in Philadelphia, PA

!

Couple questions for those that grow or have grown this particular species:

1. Is the bloom spike/inflorescence "cut-back" in the same manner that you would do when a hybrid phal is done blooming?

2. How many flowers per spike and how many spikes? I assume that this is dependant upon the age of the plant

3. What does the var. Coerulea mean? and x sib?

4. Have Phal Violacea been grown successfully via windowsill culture in areas that have a cold winter climate?

Apologies from sea of questions from the newb.

Pete

I'll post some pics after the plant arrives this week.

Bird Song Farm · #2 03-15-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Hi Pete,
I'll attempt to answer your questions and I'm sure others will have opinions too.

Couple questions for those that grow or have grown this particular species:

Pete

I'll post some pics after the plant arrives this week.

1. Is the bloom spike/inflorescence "cut-back" in the same manner that you would do when a hybrid phal is done blooming?

No, do not cut the spike until you are very sure it is dead. The old flower spike will continue to bloom even when new spikes appear.

2. How many flowers per spike and how many spikes? I assume that this is Dependant upon the age of the plant

Yes, number of blooms per spike depends on the age of the plant. Mine bloom sequentially, meaning as one bloom dies another is opening. If you have multiple spike there is almost always a blossom open.

3. What does the var. Coerulea mean? and x sib?

Variety Coerulea means this is the 'blue' form of violacea. x sib means it was crossed with a brother/sister (sib = sibling)

4. Have Phal Violacea been grown successfully via windowsill culture in areas that have a cold winter climate?

I'm in Maine and grow on a windowsill with no problems.

Hope some of this is of help.

Apologies from sea of questions from the newb.

AL

billc · #3 03-15-2010, 08:14 AM

Hi Pete, Al pretty much covered all your concerns. I'm a little north of NYC and have no problems with species phals and hybrids in an east window. As a matter of fact, in the next week or so, I'll have to move them back from the window(if we ever see the sun again) until the trees leaf out, because the sun is getting stronger.
Good Luck and welcome.

Bill

DelawareJim · #4 03-15-2010, 08:22 AM

Pete;

I live about 45 minutes west of you and mine has been very happy in an east window. I water twice a week and it has done quite well.

As Al said, don't cut off the spikes until they are brown dead. My plant currently has 3 spikes, one it produced since I got it and the other two which came with. The newest one has the most flowers but after about 18 months, the older spikes are still producing a flower or two at the tip.

Cheers.
Jim

2ljd · #5 03-15-2010, 05:49 PM

Pete,

I think you'll be happy with the quality of the plants you'll received from Kawamoto Nursery. I live only minutes away and can attest to the plants as well as the growing conditions.

The answers Al, Bill and Jim provided are right on point. Good luck!

Pete · #6 03-15-2010, 10:35 PM

Thanks for the responses and the helpful information. It is good to learn that success can be had with Violacea in a windowsill culture.

To 2ljd - I have read good things about Kawamoto and your comments further add to my confidence. I can't wait for the orchid to arrive and will post photos in this thread.

Couple more questions if I may.

x sib - why would someone cross this variety with a sibling? Does this make the orchid a species hybrid?

Does flower quality/quantity improve with age? Is this true with most phal species and hybrids.

Thanks!

Ben Belton · #7 03-16-2010, 12:53 AM

Good luck with these. I have several of them from Orchidview, and I like them a lot. I have a thread here somewhere with a pic. The fragrance is amazing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

x sib - why would someone cross this variety with a sibling?

There are many reasons. Maybe the parent had better form, but the sibling had better color. Maybe one had more flowers. They could have "selfed" the flower, but a sib cross makes for better genetics. A deeper pool you might say.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Does this make the orchid a species hybrid?

Nope, its still a violacea

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Does flower quality/quantity improve with age? Is this true with most phal species and hybrids.

Yes and yes. As the plants get larger, they can put more energy into larger better formed flowers. I would say this is true of all Phal species and hybrids.

Pete · #8 03-17-2010, 08:58 PM

Thanks for the answers to my questions, Ben Belton! Good to know about the reasons why crosses are made and that my orchid is still considered a species.

Now speaking of that Phal Violacea var Coerulea...it was delievered today!

Always exciting when a box shows up at your door labeled like this...

Expertly Packed...

The Orchid...

The Spike...

Here is Kawamoto's Ebay picture of the orchid in his nursery w/flower...

I repotted the orchid immediately into the medium that I will be using in my culture. Don't know if this was a good idea to do right away or not, but I did it. Here is a picture of an "open spot" or "void" in the medium. Is it ok or should I fill it in? The roots are tightly packed in that spot and I don't want to press too hard for fear of damaging the plant...

Gonna be fun growing this one. Very pleased with Kawamoto's service and quality of plant!

So how did I do?

2ljd · #9 03-17-2010, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

Thanks for the answers to my questions, Ben Belton! Good to know about the reasons why crosses are made and that my orchid is still considered a species.

Now speaking of that Phal Violacea var Coerulea...it was delievered today!

Always exciting when a box shows up at your door labeled like this...

Expertly Packed...

The Orchid...

The Spike...

Here is Kawamoto's Ebay picture of the orchid in his nursery w/flower...

I repotted the orchid immediately into the medium that I will be using in my culture. Don't know if this was a good idea to do right away or not, but I did it. Here is a picture of an "open spot" or "void" in the medium. Is it ok or should I fill it in? The roots are tightly packed in that spot and I don't want to press too hard for fear of damaging the plant...

Gonna be fun growing this one. Very pleased with Kawamoto's service and quality of plant!

So how did I do?

Excellent buy! The plant looks nice and healthy. I wouldn't worry about the open spot in the medium...

Tindomul · #10 03-17-2010, 10:54 PM

I agree, great buy.
I have a P. violacea something or other (forgot the variety/form/whatever) and its had its spike since I got it about a year and half ago. Still green. But the plant shows no interest in blooming again. Just grows a new leaf about twice a year or so. I think I will move it to a more humid room.