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Originally Posted by terry_sealey  I am having a bit of trouble understanding this idea of a 'great big phal'. Phals are monopodial and unlike oncidiums, catts etc do not spread and become large plants in the sense that they take up a lot of space.
Growth is in one direction only and as new growth appears the lower leaves die and drop off. A very old phal to my mind left untouched would consist of a long bare stem with the new growth at the end. It would not be 'large' in the sense I understand. When they get to this stage I usually cut off the top of the plant re-pot and start again.
Some phals like gigantea are very large but this is due to growth habit and not just age. |
The plant that I've seen, is actually many different growths over the years. Each growth is as you stated, but through the years, it has produced so many new growths, that it's a big ball. I'll have to see if I can get over to his greenhouse one of these days to take a picture of it. I would actually like to clean it up a bit- it has old spikes etc. sticking out all over it. It was his fathers plant that he inherited after his fathers' passing. He's more of an acquaintance than a friend, so I don't want to insult him by offering to fix it! It's the only orchid he has. He's pretty much in the business of selling annuals. Oh well....
I'm rambling. I'm sorry, Tarad!
