Phal. philippinensis 'Kirby'

[John M]

I think this is my favourite Phal species. I have tried and tried to get this plant to self, with no luck.

I'm looking for pollen from another nice clone to put on this. Please PM me if you have a plant in bloom and can spare some pollen.

 

[JeanLux]

That is one of the really beautiful phal species!!!! Jean

 

[emydura]

That is absolutely stunning John. One of the nicest Phal spoecies I have seen.

 

[cnycharles]

I also really like this species. I was able to self a plant years ago and sent the seed to troy meyers, but my first plant died and the seedlings are small

 

[Clark]

Nice cascade and BG.

 

[phrag guy]

that is excellent John

 

[orchideya]

Beautiful Phal.
I have a small off-topic question about your plants if you don't mind.
On your website I saw quite a few vandas listed as potted into clay pots.
What media do you use for them?
Thanks a lot.

 

[Shiva]

Beautiful! One of my favorite phal species.

 

[Lycaste53]

Very nice flowers
Best regards, Gina

 

[John M]

Thanks everybody!

Beautiful Phal.
I have a small off-topic question about your plants if you don't mind.
On your website I saw quite a few vandas listed as potted into clay pots.
What media do you use for them?
Thanks a lot.

I don't use any medium at all. They are growing bare-root in the pots while in my greenhouse. This is because I spray all the plants with water every sunny day. So, the humidity is very high and it takes all day long for the plants and roots to dry off. However, before I sell the plants, I add sphagnum moss to the top, losely. I do this because most of my customers are keeping them in their homes, which are not nearly as humid as my greenhouse. So, even with the moss on top, the plants completely dry out in a matter of just 2 or 3 days.....and because it's easy to look at the moss and see if it's moist or not, it's easy for the public to tell when to water.

 

[Rick]

That is a gorgeous philipinennse John. Very well bloomed.

I have a small one in spike now. It's kind of an interesting clone. Originally it was labeled as the natural hydrid with Phal schileriana (I'm at work and can't recall the name right now) but since blooming, it seems to be a straight phili, but with a little extra pigment and spotting. I think the form is pretty decent too. I'll see if I can dig a pic out of last years blooms when I get home. The foliage is very attractive (very much like schilleriana), but the plant is very compact.

The buds are just starting to develop, so pollen is still weeks off from this plant.

 

[John M]

Thanks Rick. I'd love to see a photo. These last a long time; so, it'd probably still be able to take the pollen when your plant blooms. The name you are thinking of is Leuchorroda, a hybrid between schilleriana and amabilis. About 20 years ago, the world was flooded with plants of Phal. philippinensis labelled as "Leuchorroda", or "x luechorroda", from Dutch commercial growers. As a result, most people were introduced to this species with the wrong name label. It happened to me too. At first, people thought that the names were synonyms. Then, eventually it was realized and widely accepted that this species and Leuchorroda were two very different, unrelated things. Phal. amabilis x schlilleriana doesn't look anything like this. The most noticeable feature is the complete lack of yellow sidelobes on the lips.

However, there is still a chance (because of your description), that your plant is a hybrid with Phal. philippinensis as one parent. So, I'd like to see a photo first. Thanks very much.

 

[Rick]

Thanks Rick. I'd love to see a photo. These last a long time; so, it'd probably still be able to take the pollen when your plant blooms. The name you are thinking of is Leuchorroda, a hybrid between schilleriana and amabilis. About 20 years ago, the world was flooded with plants of Phal. philippinensis labelled as "Leuchorroda", or "x luechorroda", from Dutch commercial growers. As a result, most people were introduced to this species with the wrong name label. It happened to me too. At first, people thought that the names were synonyms. Then, eventually it was realized and widely accepted that this species and Leuchorroda were two very different, unrelated things. Phal. amabilis x schlilleriana doesn't look anything like this. The most noticeable feature is the complete lack of yellow sidelobes on the lips.

However, there is still a chance (because of your description), that your plant is a hybrid with Phal. philippinensis as one parent. So, I'd like to see a photo first. Thanks very much.

Yes Leucohorroda was what I was remembering. Actually when I got the plant it had two labels, one said leuchorroda and the other philipinnense. So the person I got it from was already suspicious about the plant then. He is an AOS judge and Phale specialist, so was pretty confident it wasn't leuchor.

Anyway I'll dig out the pic at home.

 

[Paphman910]

Thanks Rick. I'd love to see a photo. These last a long time; so, it'd probably still be able to take the pollen when your plant blooms. The name you are thinking of is Leuchorroda, a hybrid between schilleriana and amabilis. About 20 years ago, the world was flooded with plants of Phal. philippinensis labelled as "Leuchorroda", or "x luechorroda", from Dutch commercial growers. As a result, most people were introduced to this species with the wrong name label. It happened to me too. At first, people thought that the names were synonyms. Then, eventually it was realized and widely accepted that this species and Leuchorroda were two very different, unrelated things. Phal. amabilis x schlilleriana doesn't look anything like this. The most noticeable feature is the complete lack of yellow sidelobes on the lips.

However, there is still a chance (because of your description), that your plant is a hybrid with Phal. philippinensis as one parent. So, I'd like to see a photo first. Thanks very much.

Did you get this plant from Orchid Haven years ago?

Paphman910

 

[John M]

Did you get this plant from Orchid Haven years ago?

Paphman910

No; but, Orchid Haven got their plants from me. I got them from Carter & Holmes.

 

[koshki]

Oh, how lovely! I have a seedling that is pushing its first spike...I've never seen this species in bloom in person. Excited!

 

[SlipperFan]

I think mine's in spike now.

 

[Rick]

Here's last years blooming. The pic was taken in early April 2011. I was surprised it even bloomed last year since the plant was so small and barely established on the mount. The plant is still dinky in my opinion, but it has lots of roots wrapping around the mount.

 

[John M]

Oh yes, that's beautiful, Rick. .....And there's no question that it's the right thing....the pure species. Yes, I would love some pollen as soon as it can give up some. Thanks!

You mention that it's on a mount. If it's big(!), like a 5 foot cedar plank, this species can.....and probably will, eventually cover the whole thing with roots and grow enormously long, multibrancing inflorescences bearing up to 100 large flowers. Like schilleriana and stuartiana, this species prefers a mount, if it can be kept humid enough. I think the massive root system, made up of wide, flat, green roots, also photosynthesizes, enhancing the plant's ability to grow big and put on a spectacular show.

 

[Rick]

I think the massive root system, made up of wide, flat, green roots, also photosynthesizes, enhancing the plant's ability to grow big and put on a spectacular show.

I think you're exactly right on that count John. The plant was not in optimal condition when I recieved it (potted) and only had a few good roots. I've been suprized how small the leaves stay on this plant and a P amabilis I have, but the spikes and blooming mass would seem to be twice the plant siz if it wasn't for the root mass.

So far the mount is only about a foot long, and the plant hasn't started any basal keikies yet.