The Phals I have right now

[The Mutant]

The start of me having orchids again are just some ordinary NoID Phals, bought at local stores. I bought them to see if I'm capable of caring for them without burning out again. I hope I will but we'll see.

The first I bought didn't have that many roots that I could see and the substrate was quite decomposed. I managed not to kill it during winter and repotted it when I saw the roots had started growing. It has a spike growing at the moment, roots growing and a new leaf. This is how the flowers looked like when I bought it:




This is the second Phal, bought from IKEA. I discovered today that it has a very nice fragrance:



Third is from a local flower vendor and I discovered after buying it that it's not a NoID. Normally, I don't like these types of Phals but this one seems to be an exception. This is a Phal. Yu Pin Lady 'Magic Art':



And since Magic Art could travel home alone, I bought a NoID-friend to keep it company. I had some serious difficulty trying to get the color to display properly:



And that's the entire "collection" so far. More orchids will be purchased, but I'll have to wait for warmer temperatures first. I've chosen some Phals that I want and it'll be complex/primary hybrids and most likely no species. This is because I really don't have the energy to put in too much effort to make more finicky orchids enjoy my windowsills.

I do want to get Paphs again but when it comes to them I really want species. I guess I'm very inconsistent when it comes to orchids.

 

[Paphluvr]

You have some beauties there. Love the first one in particular and think I also have a NOID like the last one. Is it a mini Phal?

 

[The Mutant]

You have some beauties there. Love the first one in particular and think I also have a NOID like the last one. Is it a mini Phal?

Unfortunately, it isn't. I love mini Phals and while it's not particularly big, it isn't as compact as the ones I used to have. Is yours a mini?

 

[Paphman910]

Good to see you are still growing orchids! I remember your incredible artwork!

 

[The Mutant]

Good to see you are still growing orchids! I remember your incredible artwork!

Aww, that's very kind of you! I wish I could say that I've drawn a lot, but I haven't. Just as I haven't been able to take care of orchids, I haven't really been able to draw either. ☹

I started with the orchids again very recently actually. I think I bought the first Phal some time before Christmas and the rest I've bought now during spring. I want more (duh! addicting little things!) but I'll have to be careful so I don't expand too quickly.

 

[Ozpaph]

These harlequin phals are so attractive.

 

[Cklinger]

Beautiful! I’ve always been thinking of purchasing a mini Phal or two, but my collection is starting to take up a lot of space (according to my girlfriend)

 

[The Mutant]

Welp, my collection lasted even shorter this time around. All of them went into the garbage today as I discovered scale on the one I've had the longest. ☹ I read it's difficult to get rid of (especially in the EU where pesticides aren't readily available for ordinary people) and while they haven't been standing close to each other, I won't dare getting any more orchids as long as there might be scales afoot. So, I made the drastic decision to toss all of them to be absolutely sure there are no pests (except for my cat, but he leaves the orchids alone at least) when I order more Phals.

This is the second (well, first theoretically) Phal I've bought that has had uninvited and unwanted guests. I bought two from IKEA, but I discovered the smaller of them had false mites shortly after and I tossed it immediately and have been keeping an eye on all the others. The reason why I didn't settle for tossing the affected plant is because I read that they spread easier compared to the false mites, even if the plants don't touch.

I've had some serious bad luck this time around and I really hope it doesn't continue.

Beautiful! I’ve always been thinking of purchasing a mini Phal or two, but my collection is starting to take up a lot of space (according to my girlfriend)

Well, mini Phals really don't take up much space... Just saying.

 

[Cklinger]

Well, mini Phals really don't take up much space... Just saying.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[NYEric]

In the future, you can get rid of scale with alcohol on a paper towel. Also there is Neem oil and other 'natural' pest solutions.

 

[The Mutant]

In the future, you can get rid of scale with alcohol on a paper towel. Also there is Neem oil and other 'natural' pest solutions.

Don't know if we have Neem oil here in Sweden... Oh, we have! That's yet another thing I can use then, awesome. Thanks, Eric!