Need advice please!

[Debbie Hayden]

I recieved a large phal keiki from an internet purchase, today. No potting instructions were included. I'm not sure what to do next. It has many long roots, which are plump and green and two 4" leaves and one 1 1/2" small leaf. 2 spikes, one looks like it has already bloomed and has been cut, and the other has just started budding. The name is species Riverbend X Zuma Beach. Do I pot it in sphag or bark? What size pot? HELP!!!

[articuno75]

Just pot it in your favorite medium that you have. You can use either. My Phals are in Aussie Gold Mix (Coir, Charcoal, Perlite). Be sure to presoak your bark if you use it. That way it's good and ready to go. Spagh is okay,,,I never had any luck with Spagh and Phals (Root rot). I'd go with the bark to be on the safe side.

[pikevi]

I use a mix of mostly fir bark and coconut husk chips, along with a little moss ,charcoal and perlite. I see good growth but I cannot say the same with regards to blooms.

Good luck.

[PhalPal]

You want to use a pot just big enough to fit the roots. Whatever mix you use is fine if it matches your watering habits. Have you been introduced to the skewer method?????

[Debbie Hayden]

Yes, Connie, I have a skewer right by my orchids. The medium I have is pre-mixed for Phals. I bought it at our local garden center along with 4" clay orchid pots. The only thing that I'm worried about is, the orchid was left on my doorstep most of the day in 40 degree temps.. It came bare root in a box of styro peanuts. Everything looks good, but it was a little cold when I took it out of the box. My house is not extremely warm because we are trying to cut down on heating bills, so maybe the temp change won't be too stressful. I'll keep my fingers crossed on this one. It will be my first "baby orchid" to try and grow.

[phalaephila]

Here's a tip for the next orchid delivery: Put a cooler by the door the day you are expecting a plant in the mail. Instead of ice, place a bottle of warm/hot water in the cooler. Write a note asking the postal worker or delivery person to put the box in the cooler. This will keep everything fine until you get home to bring the package inside.

jeanne

[Debbie Hayden]

What a great idea! Thanks, jeanne.

[Debbie Hayden]

Well, right or wrong, I've got it potted. You guys wish me luck!

[rodbender]

Am sure you did a good job Deb. Just try to keep it slightly moist and not to bright with the light. It should do fine for you. Congrats on your first of many succesful pottings

[pikevi]

I am sure it will be fine, Debbie Hayden.

Just like rodbender said keep it moist. That is what I do and the Phals. are doing well.

Good luck.

[articuno75]

First mail order pot/repot. Awesome!!!

[kmarch]

It looks like you've received some good advoce on potting and caring for your orchid. I'll only add that there are great culture sheets here on the forum and at the American Orchid Society.

Originally Posted by Debbie Hayden

The name is species Riverbend X Zuma Beach.

Phal Riverbend x Zuma Beach is a hybrid, not a species. Species orchids are orchids that are found in the wild while hybrids like yours are usually bred in cultivation.

[PhalPal]

!!!!!!!!!goodluckgoodluckgoodluckgoodluck!!!!!!!!

[Debbie Hayden]

Thank you for correcting that, Kevin. It makes me wonder about the grower it came from. The label said species. Do you think they meant that Riverbend and Zuma were species. Remember, I know nothing! But am eager to learn.

[phalaephila]

I am wondering if by Riverbend, the grower used Phal. equestris 'Riverbend', which is an awarded cultivar of the species. There are also several phal hybrids which have Riverbend in their names, but none are just plain Riverbend.

Phal. Zuma Beach has Phal. violacea as a parent, so this has the potential of having a very nice fragrance.

Please post a picture of the flowers when they open, this sounds like an interesting hybrid!

jeanne

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Yes, I've seen this in Baldan's Ebay store. They have it now and clearly somewhere in their write up mention equestris 'River Bend', which I have in spike now. But, the real question is the Zuma Beach. Is that a varietal name of some Phal that has an AM/AOS? Need to research that one.

Baldan's has the absolute worst write ups for their ebay offerings. I have been back and forth with them several times over a keiki I bought, something 'Tequila Sunrise'. I think I have pieced together the parentage, but won't be sure until they finally send me the promised info which they claim they will do when the plant is registered (currently pending). I would email them and insist on having the correct name for this plant. If enough of us do it, they may give up their mysterious listings in favor of avoiding our complaints.

[PhalPal]

The 'Zuma' varieties tend to be compact and multifloureous. Zuma Orchids in Malibu, Ca breeds them and may be a good source of info on this plant.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Debbie Hayden

The label said species. Do you think they meant that Riverbend and Zuma were species.

Originally Posted by phalaephila

I am wondering if by Riverbend, the grower used Phal. equestris 'Riverbend', which is an awarded cultivar of the species. There are also several phal hybrids which have Riverbend in their names, but none are just plain Riverbend.

Good catch phalaephila. I think you're right. I think they probably used Phal equistris 'Riverbend' as the one parent. There is a Phal registered as Zuma Beach so it is certainly possible that at least that part was correct.

This is a classic example of how lazy and sloppy some nurseries get with their tags, using ridiculous, individualized "code" which we are left to sort out later. Debbie, I think they know the difference between their species and hybrids but are just lazy and sloppy with their tags.

---> Warning: vent approaching <---
Lets be honest here (maybe I should put this in the new "venting" section) how difficult is it to get the name of an orchid clear and correct on a tag? Come on all you orchid nurseries out there (you know who you are) would it kill you to take 30 seconds and get the tags right? It's a customer service fundamental.
---> end of vent <---

[phalaephila]

Well, in googling "phal equestris zuma beach" I see that there is apparently another cultivar of Phal. equestris named 'Zuma Beach'. So you may have Phal. equestris which is a species. The parents of your plant may be two different cultivars, 'Riverbend' (which is awarded, AM/AOS) and 'Zuma Beach'. Gosh, a correct tag really would have helped here!

jeanne

[patticake]

I recieved some orchids from an ebay nursery. I had it delivered with a "hot pak" in the box. The pak was still warm when the box arrived. The plants all looked good too. Good luck with the new plant, Debbie!