I don't know if I was wise in being a group participant in the species #1 plant growing project or not (bad influence)? Of course Oakhill sends out sales and info-emails to further entice one after the initial purchase. One of the emails that I'm guessing you all got was, "Economy Species Seedling Special". It further stated, "Our choice of varieties, indicate preferred genera". Price $40 which INCLUDES postage. Hmmm - ten plants for $4 each. As much as I like larger plants and am REALLY enjoying a couple of beautiful blooming plants right now - This was too tempting - I don't have many species plants - maybe in a couple of years I can convert these "deal" plants into beauties too? - I thought about it off and on and finally bit. My comment to them as part of the purchase via the order email was preferred genera phals and second choice paphs. I also indicated that I already had the two species plants from the geeks project so would appreciate not getting them again and also requested no large/standard size catts. So, with that said I was anxious to see what I would actually get. Kind of like Christmas?! I received the following plants (none of which I had) - phal manii, schilleriana purpurea, intermedia, equestris, leucorrhoda, stuartiana, schilleriana, bastianii, and two non-phals - which were gongora tricolor and encyclia fragrans. New welcome pic below. They should do a good job keeping my ambionesis company!
I'm hoping that in a couple of years I might have a short series of phal species photos to share HALF as good as Brooke's. Well......even a fourth as good would be an accomplishment!