Mike's Phalaenopsis Intermedia

[mayres]

These are my two new Phalaenopsis Intermedia plants. My first experience with this particular plant was two years ago when I purchased an economy 10 plant special from Oak Hills Gardens and this plant was one of the plants included. It was the first of my seedlings to bloom (in less than one year after receiving) and it is getting ready to bloom for the third time this year on a sub-subspike (three buds so far). I would classify it as a very easy to grow phal - that stays small. I included a picture of this plant in this thread next to my new challenge plants - so you can see, at least for me, that this plant stayed very small. It also put up a basal keiki and now has two sections/crowns. Maybe a spike from each next year? I have included bloom pics of the two year old here for anyone who may read this thread later who have not seen them in other threads. The color/appearance of this primary hybrid can vary considerably from pink, to white, and any combination thereof. It will be very interesting to see if we get much variation within this single batch of plants (I'm assuming identical parents and probably the same seed capsule?).

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I normally grow all my phals in a coir mix (which my two year old is in), so decided to branch out and try something different with these two. One in S/H and another mounted on clay. Ideally they will stay this way for a year or two at least, but only time will tell how well they take to this method of growing.

I purchased my plants the middle of April and repotted them as shown in these pics during the next weekend. I'm really looking forward to hearing and seeing how everyone else does!

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[Phalcycle]

Nice experiment.
I like the color of the lip on the bloom there =D

[Anton]

Nice looking Phals Mike, well grown.

[syndywindy]

Those look so nice and I can't wait to see how your terra cotta mount does.

[Yvonne]

I am new to Phalaenopsis orchids and have found watering especially in winter a challenge. So I am reading everything I can get my hands on and asking questions. How do you mount a Phal on clay?? Is it a special clay dish??

[mayres]

You get a tile drill bit and drill some holes around the perimeter of the inside "bottom" surface (I put four to mount and a hole in the edge for a hanger wire). Then you tie it all on by wrapping with fishing line - if you use very small weight line it is nearly invisible - for old guys like me it "is" invisible! Nothing special - just a plain old terra cotta saucer made for a pot - available in my area for about $0.75 (less than a dollar!). Time will tell how well this method works for orchids as this is my first - though I've seen another example of it by someone else that appeared to be quite successful. This thread shows the holes I drilled - Me too! Another First! TERRA COTTA

[mayres]

Five weeks into our experiment(s) and I have lots of root development going on. My plant in S/H is also getting a new leaf!

[syndywindy]

I haven't checked mine closely. will have to look and see if ther is any changes. Yours is doing really nice.

[Tarad]

OOO nice Mike!

[trinigirl]

They're both doing so well, all of those nice looking roots! Good growing Mike!

[lmartiny]

I guess we should update on ours?

[mayres]

Well........here we are a little more than three months later.......
Nothing out of this world - but both plants are slowly growing - both with methods that I've never used before - the mounted plant has a couple yellow leaves that are of some concern - but a new one is now coming in - so......hip hip hooray for that!

[lmartiny]

I have found this to be a slow grower compared to the other project plant.

[amersault]

the S/H one looks like it's about to crawl out of its container! either way, looking good (especially love your inventiveness with the mount )

[Phalcycle]

Originally Posted by amersault

the S/H one looks like it's about to crawl out of its container! either way, looking good (especially love your inventiveness with the mount )

Its so cute, the little roots crawling out

[lmartiny]

It is a very clever mount. I might steal your idea.

[mayres]

Lots to report on my intermedias!
Both plants have spikes, though the plant in S/H (upper left near white container) has a undeveloped spike and the plant that is mounted on a clay saucer has a flowering huge spike!
The plant that is blooming with a long spike has nearly totally white flowers (picture to right) unlike my older plant that I got two years ago - which has a pink lip. My older plant (also pictured to the right in the 2nd picture) has a keiki with a spike, flower on old spike, and another TWO spikes starting. Basically this plant is starting to go WHACKO! In a GOOD way!

[Filb]

I love the idea of the terra cotta mount, I may try that.
Your phals look lovely! I have a soft spot for species

[koshki]

Very nice! I wish I had gotten in on this challenge...such a pretty bloom.

[syndywindy]

Mine is stagnating! Nothing great happening either way. BUt I think mine was more of a seedling than yours if I recall. Glad you got beautiful blooms.

[mayres]

Latest Update on flowering!
This is not easy to get a pic of - but I tried my best to piece it together.
The flower spike has now reached the point in blooming where they have reached an approximate state of equilibrium - old ones falling and new ones adding at about the same rate. Great little phal that I hightly recommend as something inexpensive and easy/fun to grow!

[Ron]

Hi thanks for the photos, another interesting way to mount or hang Phallies
Works a treat, I ca not wait for springtime to continue my Phallie mounting species program
Thanks

[mayres]

A pic of my third Intermedia - taken yesterday. They are ALL slightly different - I think this one is my favorite so far - largest flowers of the group too....

[Puddy1]

Oh my

[NBAMA]

That looks close to shilleriana.

[pikkumyy]

vey cool, come september, i am definitely getting some phals that like mounting and trying this out, good job

[syndywindy]

I like this latest one as well. The pink blush on them is just beautiful. Mine is spiking for the first time, can't wait to see what kind of blooms I get.

[plantloverlisa]

That is beautiful, the picture too.