Economy species seedling special

[mayres]

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!

[orchid_girl]

Hey any reason to buy an orchid is a good one....LOL!!!

[articuno75]

I got that flyer, but past it up. After seeing your haul, I could kick myself. You got some killer deals. Which Phals have the mottle leaf? Wow what a deal!

[myorchid]

great deal! Which ones did you get? I also love the mottled leaf variety!

[sandra]

This is a great deal, 10 plants for $40 and the way you grow Mike, they're all in good hands.

I never receive flyers/emails from them. I'm miffed!!!!!!

[articuno75]

Sandra~ You have to sign up for them on their website.

[evagentry]

It sounds like a good deal Mike, you grow orchids well so I am sure they will turn out healthy and blooming.

[sandra]

OK, I just signed up to receive the monthly newsletter. I don't know if that was a blessing or a curse.

P.S. Thanks Jenny.

[mayres]

April - Oakhill sent me all the ten I have listed - THEY are the ones who picked - after my genera preference.

Jenny - four of the eight phals have mottled leaves which was a welcome surprise - both types of schilleriana, leucorrhoda, & stuartiana.

[arleneg]

Nice! I especially like the mottled leaves.

I saw that special, but passed it up...have bought a bit too many the last few weeks.

[solay]

Wow! Great deal! I think I will be signing up too. Great buy! Looks so healthy too.

[articuno75]

AAAhhhh I could kick myself. You so have to post pics of the leucorrhoda when it blooms

[kid a]

Wow, that is a great deal. A friend of mine used to order from them with similar deals. That's awesome that they didn't send yu any you already had. They look so not lonely all lined up together all cute like and such, lol (does that even makes sense?)

[Brooke]

Just for you Jenny :>)

x leucorroda



and a close up of the distinctive lip



and the schilleriana



and the equestris



I got these from Oak Hill in February (I think) this year. They bloomed on schedule for me and are now growing like weeds.

Now Jenny, you know you have room to squeeze these beautiful 'chids into your grow area :>)

Mike you got a great deal and I'm confident they will all bloom for you during the next bloom cycle.

Brooke

[norris]

I went to Oak Hill website, and the special was still going on, I think I clicked on 'Specials' on the left... I got my 10 plants on the way

[Sharyn]

Originally Posted by mayres

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!

I'm hoping that in a couple years, I'm still alive waiting for my seedings to grow up! You made some very nice choices - Especially love the mottled leaves. Thanks for the pics Brooke.

[articuno75]

Beautiful!!!!

You know I got the room It's the funds that's the other story. I'm on a strict one a week buy schedule and this week's taken. LoL

[patticake]

Great haul, Mike! They all look really good, too! I've bought several new plants recently... I HAVE to cool it! I don't want so many that I can't take care of them right. I can't wait to see your photos down the road!

[jay]

Mayres - Great buy! I have been thinking about doing one of the packages. This just makes me want to do it even more. I might do that in the fall when the temperatures get a little more reasonable here for shipping. Keep us updated on how they do.

[berkeleysgr8]

To all of those who thought they missed out, this special has been on their website for a while. It is a GREAT deal! I have a credit with them and have been considering ordering more seedlings from them. I've been happy with my purchases from them.

[norris]

I received my 10 species seedlings, they look great, and I got what I wanted, 5 Catt. and 5 Phals I'll post a pic later when I get better light.

[norris]

OK, here is what I got, 5 Phals, 4 Catts, and 1 that used to be a Catt
P. amboinensis, P. bastianii
P. equestris, P. Schilleriana purpurea
P. stuartiana
C. Maxima, C.trianae v. alba
C intermedia, C. gaskelliana v. alba
Guarianthe aurantiaca
Now that I have the Phalaenopsis amboinensis, can I join the species project, or do I need to get all the plants that were chosen by the group?

[mayres]

I'd say jump on in and join the party - glad to "see" you! They grow slow enough that you are right with us - yours is probably from the same batch anyway. Go ahead and make a post about your plant in the section and start right in!

[norris]

Thanks mayres, I'll get a pic of just the one I have then

[mayres]

Thought I'd post another pic of my ten Oak Hill seedlings that I acquired back in April. Well.........at least I thought it was April - now I see that I started this post in June - so I guess I got these in June and our little project plant(s) came in April previous?! My how time flies! What is most amazing is that I actually have not killed any of these yet! As I noted in another post, much to my amazement, the phal intermedia has a spike about an inch long!
The other surprise is that my phal shilleriana purpurea (back right in photo) is probably twice the size of all the other plants - I've absolutely no idea why this should be???? I guess in every group you have an over achiever and a runt?

[kninum]

wow great growing, thanks for the update ( although this is the first time i have found this thread)

after seeing this i think i may have to try a seedling pack again ( i was very pleased with the one i got)- i soooooo what a few mottled leaf 'chids

[berkeleysgr8]

I've been a bad, bad orchid mom for the past several months. Though my seedlings all arrived in great shape, a few of them are now in orchid heaven due to my neglect. I may try a seedling pack again when I'm more organized about caring for my orchids (early Spring might be a good time). I still think that the seedling pack is an awesome deal!

PS- thanks for posting your gorgeous little collection of seedlings!

[norris]

Those look great! I'll have to get a pic of mine one of these days, they are all coming along nicely, and I might even have a spike forming on my Phal stuartiana. It is only about 1/10th of inch long, but it definitely has the little 'mitten' shape going for it

[Brooke]

Mike I never doubted you wouldn't succeed with the seedlings :>)

Your schilleriana is the biggest because it will be a big ole honkin' plant. Is yours spiking now - it is the season for them.

Norris it is also the season for the stuartiana to bloom - congrats to you too!

Brooke

[amersault]

Originally Posted by mayres

Thought I'd post another pic of my ten Oak Hill seedlings that I acquired back in April. Well.........at least I thought it was April - now I see that I started this post in June - so I guess I got these in June and our little project plant(s) came in April previous?! My how time flies! What is most amazing is that I actually have not killed any of these yet! As I noted in another post, much to my amazement, the phal intermedia has a spike about an inch long!
The other surprise is that my phal shilleriana purpurea (back right in photo) is probably twice the size of all the other plants - I've absolutely no idea why this should be???? I guess in every group you have an over achiever and a runt?

those plants look very happy!

way to go, Mike! i'm surprised they sent you a Gongora in your species special, but hey - surprises are a good thing i hope you get to post bloom picts of this group soon. looks like coir really is the way to go for these

oh, and Congrats on winning the December comp!

[Sharyn]

Mike: Your seedlings look great! I also have a schilleriana from Oak Hills. They gave it to me as a gift last year at the Orchid Fest. It's amazing how fast they grow. All of your seedlings look wonderful - under your wonderful care. Oh, and yes, we got our stuff last April.

[Tarad]

Wow nice looking plants there Mike! Tara

[mayres]

I NEVER expected to get a bloom this soon - but Phal intermedia is blooming today! It only took about 9 months from receipt of a tiny little fragile seedling! The spike is so small in diameter I began to doubt that it would ever support a flower and was guessing maybe ONE flower as this size plant? But no, after this flower there appears to be at least 3-4 more buds - so we'll see what happens.

[digitalgate]

poison poison, this is a enticing thread.

[norris]

Congratulations! What a cool bloom, and very nice pics. I hope to be able to post some pics of some of my seedling blooms real soon

[fred]

good growing Mike
congrats with the awesome bloom

[Brooke]

Good growing

Brooke

[trinigirl]

Very pretty, good growing!

[LouisW]

wow! all the sudden you have quite a nice collection of species Phals. Love the Gongora too! Lucky duck.

[norris]

Here is the group shot of all my seedlings. I put them on the mini ironing board I used for the pic when I first got them, they have all been re-potted once.

[mayres]

Thanks so much for sharing this picture. Half phals and half catts? They ALL look REALLY HEALTHY. Excellent! Maybe I should send my whole collection down for you to take care of for awhile?

[norris]

Thanks, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the Catts. when they decide to become full grown... incentive to get a bigger place I guess

[PhalPal]

WOW - nice plants!! I saw that special and was thinking tiny little seedlings. What a great deal!

[norris]

It is a great deal. I've had mine almost a year, but patience is a must with these little guys! To me really worth the effort though

[Rachel the Truth]

I LOVE the mottled leave ones!!!!

[mayres]

Time for another update! This is what my Oakhill economy seedlings have done in 20 months.
1) phal mannii - aural form - actually SMALLER than when I acquired - not healthy - think I let it get too dry last summer and most of the roots dried up. I'm concerned that it will pull out of it?
2) phal schilleriana purpurea - HUGE leaves - no blooms yet - root system also compromised. Variagation of leaves not as prominant as others (typical?)
3) phal intermedia - spike currently (2nd time) - first of them to bloom (last year)
4) phal leucorrhoda - major battle with mealies - growth and health overall OK
5) phal stuartiana - LOVE this little one - both flowers and foliage - didn't anticipate how cool the BACKSIDE of blooms would be (green-tinted)
6) phal shilleriana - three flowers on first spike
7) phal bastiani - two basal keikis already - no bloom yet
8) phal equestris - first bloom just coming out - such tiny flowers!
9) gongora tricolor - haven't got a clue what I'm doing with this one.
10) encyclia fragrans - seems to be growing rather slowly but looks relatively healthy?

[psyc1210]

Good growing Mike!! Wow on the leaves of that schilleriana!

[kmarch]

Great update Mike and Fantastic growing! You are Phal Wizard!!!

[Phalcycle]

2) phal schilleriana purpurea
Is this the one in the middle with the really big leave sticking out?
If it is, I can see what you mean by huge. Its sooooo big

[mayres]

Yep! And it continues to get bigger too! (Big leaves like you see going BOTH directions now!) Interestingly this plant has not got a large root mass so I have it in a fairly small pot - but the leaves are soooooo big that they drag on the ground at both ends - I have to put it on an upturned pot to get it up off the surface a ways. Ideally I'm sure it would like to be mounted, but I don't have a greenhouse or other good place for mounted phals. I'm anxious for it to bloom - one of the few phals in this group that I'm still waiting for - probably this next cycle?

[patticake]

They look great, Mike! It really shows the difference in sizes this way. Beautiful!

[kid a]

I think I need to hit up oak hill and see if they still have a special lol!

[mayres]

The seedling special has been pretty much permanent for the past two years and is STILL on. I heartily recommend it! The amazing thing is that the price hasn't changed much at all - originally $40 w/postage and now $30 and you pay postage.

[kid a]

Yeah that is not bad at all! A while back I was contemplating doing that but never did. And if I had done it then I would probably have something in bloom by now lol! I have alot of spare space on my shelves right now that need to be filled up after killing some things between winter starting and now lol!

[trinigirl]

Mike those look great!

I got the economy special just after you got yours, and yours are doing better than mine. I got the same ones as you did. My intermedia and fragrans died. My equestris is on it's second year of blooming. My stuartiana is lovely, with a spike, but the buds got damaged. The leucorrhoda has a long spike with buds that should open any day now. I am struggling with the gongora seedling too. Everything else is just there, alive.

I think you are still the go to guy for phals. Good job with those seedlings!

[mayres]

Sarah - Post a picture of your leucorrhoda when it blooms! My plant looks pretty good now but no spike yet. Unfortunately it had a major battle with mealies which set it back somewhat - now on the road to recovery.......
I hope you get some stuartiana blooms - this one was the biggest surprise so far - I just LOVE the overall effect of those blooms - with the green cast on the back side especially......great plant! My Intermedia and equestris are currently blooming their socks off! . It has been a fun little project to keep this family together - constantly worried about them when they were still babies - and still somewhat perplexed as to what to do with my gongora and encyclia - miraculously still alive!