New Orchids!

[ldk]

I'm attaching pictures of my two new additions to my little orchid family. For weeks now I've seen a van parked on the road advertising orchids for sale but have tried to look the other way. This weekend I could not resist stopping to check out all the blooming beauties and with prices starting at $5.00 how could I go wrong? (I paid $10 each for mine.)

I don't know if the information from the seller is correct, but I fell for it and if anyone wants to set me straight I would appreciate it. First, she recommended I pick a Phal with two spikes because it was 'born' with two spikes and always would have two spikes. The other Phal she told me was very old and I could tell how old by counting the leaves because Phals only put out one new leaf per year. I actually bought these two because I love the blooms and both plants seem healthy with good roots. The big (old) plant is huge - stands 47 inches from the bottom of the pot to the top of the stalk! It is overflowing the pot and now I am wondering where I will find a larger pot - I don't think Lowe's or Home D carries any orchid pots that large.
Can anyone give me an idea on this?

Thought you would enjoy seeing my new babies and of course, any comments or input is always great. I have learned so much by just reading through threads. This site is soooo helpful!

Had to send 3 pictures of the big one - sorry

Laura with 5 Phals and 1 Den

[benetay]

That is one great phal with so many leaves...Thanks for sharing those beauty! I'm sure you are happy with the purchase. How i wish we can have Vans selling orchids, he will be my best friend!

Cheers!

[Tarad]

Very nice phals the one with a lot of leaves reminds me of my big phals that are 5-10 years old. Tara

[hulaorchid]

I really love the colors!! Pretty pastels!

[dorothea]

they're beautiful! i have two similar noids, the one that looks like your second phal is fragrant. it also has a lot of leaves because it puts out two leaves almost at the same time, but it's smaller than yours

[trinigirl]

Very beautiful, I love both colors!

As for the info the seller gave you "'born' with two spikes and always would have two spikes. The other Phal she told me was very old and I could tell how old by counting the leaves because Phals only put out one new leaf per year.", that's new information to me. I had never heard that before.

It would be nice if the first part were true, then I would look for double spikes for sure to buy. As for the second part, I feel like I have seen more than one leaf per year on a phal. I've never really paid attention before, but I still feel that I have seen more than one leaf per year. It would be interesting to know for sure.

[Hummer344]

I always look for the phal with the most spikes & best leaves, for the least money. Now, I have NEVER had a phal re-spike with two spikes from year to year. The older one may put out two spikes but the smaller one is doubtfull. Its the perfect conditions that the growers give these plants that allows them to put out multiple spikes.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by ldk

First, she recommended I pick a Phal with two spikes because it was 'born' with two spikes and always would have two spikes.

Ummmmm???? "Born" with 2 spikes? I'm not sure what she means by that but settign that aside, it's not correct that a phal with 2 spikes will always have 2 spikes. The number of spikes a phal puts out depends on many different factors like the age and size of the plant and how well it has been cared for. It also depends on the breeding of the phal, what the parenage is. Some phal species are simply more floriferous than others.

It is true that if you go into a nursery and see 50 plants on a bench, all the same age and receiving the same culture, and see one with twice as many flowers as the others, the chances are that that plant is genetically predisposed to being more floriferous. But that's a lot different than saying if a phal has 2 spikes it will always throw 2 spikes. Hmmmm...were the 2-spike phals by any chance more expensive than the 1-spike phals?

Originally Posted by ldk

The other Phal she told me was very old and I could tell how old by counting the leaves because Phals only put out one new leaf per year.

Oops....maybe she should come visit the orchidgeeks here. I'm afraid she's wrong again. In good growing conditions phals can definitely put out more than one leaf a year. Also old leaves die and fall off. A 20-year old phal can have only 6-7 leaves. It sounds a bit like she's bathing in orchid mythology rather than really knowing the plants she's growing/selling.

Originally Posted by ldk

I actually bought these two because I love the blooms and both plants seem healthy with good roots.

I can't think of a better reason to buy an orchid than because you like the blooms! Afterall who wants a plant sitting around that disgusts you every time it flowers! Of course it's important to also do like you've done and buy healthy plants and it's always good to make sure the plant is well suited to your conditions, but assuming that...

Thanks for posting your pics and congrats on your buys!!!

[patticake]

Congratulations on the new 'chids! They're beautiful!!

[CharliesAngel51]

What a bargain. Two beauties for $10.00 each. I especially like the color of the big one.

[Azure]

Beautiful new additions. They look marvelous.

[Rachel the Truth]

I absolutley LOVE the tall one! Those blooms are soooooo beautiful!

I see you are also a local to me!!!!!


HELLO!

What KMarch said was absolutley correct! Just because it has one this year, doesnt mean it will have one next year. Same as if it has 2, doesnt mean it will always spike twice!

A good rule of thumb that I always follow is to find an orchid with the most BUDS for the least money!!! lol

The more buds that are not open on the plant, the longer you will be able to enjoy it's beautiful flowers!!!!

If you ever get a chance, come to St. Pete!!! I can show you lots and lots of places to get some BEAUTIFUL orchids at a VERY good price!

Welcom to OG and keep posting! Dont hesitate to ask questions!!!

[solay]

I think you got some nice deals on beautiful plants. So what if it's old or new as long as you like it and the price is right! Nice picks!

[ldk]

Thanks everyone for your input and compliments on my two new plants. I really didn't put any faith into the 'one leaf per year' fable, but I did have high hopes for the double flower stalk!

Rather than repotting the big one, I am contemplating cleaning up the dead roots all over the top of the pot and letting it go for awhile - on thoughts on this?

Thanks!