brandank's 2 Phal. Naples Nights x (Petite Rose x Glad Melinda)

[brandank]

Just foungd the sub-forum. So I am going to start a thread on my 2 Phal Naples nights x (Petite rose x Glad melinda). I mounted both of mine in a coconut and orchid moss. I have 1 with a 4 inch spike right now. Here are my first pics.

[mayres]

Wow! They must really like that warm Florida weather - excellent. Mine is still looking out the window at the ice and rain. Are you going to hang those now with the plants pointing straight out? After they have been in their new location for awhile post a pic if possible so we can see how they are growing.

[brandank]

The blooms are forming! Just another update on my 2 phals. I have 2 buds forming with a 3rd on its way. here are a few pictures from tonight. Getting Closer!

[patticake]

It looks really good, Brandan! I can't wait for blooms, either! Mine is MUCH further behind than yours!

[solay]

They look great. Just curious about the coconuts. Do they have drainage holes on the bottom?

[orchid_girl]

Very nice!! Can't wait to see the blooms!!

[brandank]

Originally Posted by solay

They look great. Just curious about the coconuts. Do they have drainage holes on the bottom?

Yes I did decide to drill a couple holes in each shell. This also allowed enough room for a few twist ties to fit through. So the plants are happily being held in place. I can flip them upside down and only loose a little spaghnum moss out of the mounts. I am very happy with out come of this mount! I plan to do many more this way along with a few other ideas w/the coco's. I will keep you all posted on the other projects when I can find a little time to do them.

[evagentry]

Your Phals.arebeautiful and the mounts look good too, there are so many neat things to do with a little imagination, thanks for sharing yours.

[sandra]

Love what you did here brandank. There are a few coconuts fallen from the trees in my neighborhood and thinking of copying you. How did you prepare the shells for the Phals? Soaked them in ___(fill in the blank)____

[solay]

You get free coconuts Sandra? That's great. The last time I was Florida I spotted a shopping cart full of them and naively thought they were free. As soon as I approached it, there was a guy there to ask me to pay for it. My husband just laughed at me and paid the guy. Can't find too many free things anymore. Good thing you got a nice neighbor that won't charge you for picking some up.

[sandra]

Solay, coconuts are all over this place, some from private properties, some on public properties. It's forbidden to take them down from public properties but the fallen ones are for the taking. They're equivalent to the oranges/groves in California....although and sadly, many have been bulldozed to build condo's on...

[kid a]

Wow, I can't believe yours are blooming so quickly! You are definitely doing a lot right! Good Growing!!!

[jerrymeola]

It looks more and more like these Phals like a lot of water. I seem to remember that your spike was not any bigger than the other two at Heathcote yet the one I kept for a control the spike has not gotten any bigger and not the hint of the flower forming like yours.

Mine have definitely been deprived water. I have too much work with the greenhouse damage. I can not watch everything. Hopefully another week or two and the automatic sprinklers will be finished.

[brandank]

We are getting very close. Flowers are a few days away. Thought I should do 1 more update before the first flower opens. Here are 2 pics from 5/27.

Like Jerry said these phals like water. I am only using spaghnum moss in my coco mount, and it seems that I am watering at least 4 or 5x a week. My watering consists of a pump sprayer that has stayed full of a worm tea mixture. Other than the occasional hard rain that comes through the screen, a few fungicide treatments, and 1 bloom boost mist they have been living on worm tea.

[kid a]

Yay! Lookin Good! I can't wait till they open.

[brandank]

This morning the first flower has finally opened on the Phal Naples nights x (Petite rose x Glad melinda). Here are the pics from this morning.

[patticake]

Brandan!! How exciting! Congratulations!

I can't wait for mine to bloom. The spike is still getting longer...slowly...

Thanks for the pictures! They give me hope!

[Bird Song Farm]

OMG, what a beautiful blossom! It will be awhile before mine bloom but meanwhile, I've saved this pic so I can refer to it and compare when I do get some bloom action!
Al

[jerrymeola]

Congratulations Brandon. It seems that the one you got was no bigger than the two others I had in bud that day.

The one I kept here is no bigger today than the day you bought yours. I am now using yours as the