Phal. Schilleriana (seedling in bloom)

[GiovannaD]

I had been watching this little seedling grow 2 leaves, double its roots and then preparing 2 spikes of which one grew. I bought it in July and repotted it in s/h pellets in early october. The first spike popped up in the first week of November, when the temps where starting to drop. I placed it in a shelf under a cfl of 22 watts (2500K) which was on during the night and off during the day, but the natural light was in no way sufficient.
This is the first bloom of 4 buds in total.

[Bikerdoc5968]

It is beautiful and the flowers are soooo large. My Phal schilleriana is flowering for me now. This is the 2nd year for me. Next year you should have a great show! I wish my flowers were as large as yours! My pics and comments are not meant to overshadow anyone else's hard work at growing....G-d knows, I have more than my share of problems!!!!!!

[ischel1]

Both of you have lovely phals. Thanks for sharing

[GiovannaD]

They are not that large actually, they measure about 2-2,5" across. I am so envious of your branching spikes! Are these blooms fragrant? Mine have some faint scent...
What growing conditions do you provide?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Beautiful bloom from a very young plant, Giovanna!

Bikerdoc - your branching spikes are stunning too!

Cheers,
BD

[Bikerdoc5968]

Giovanna, Thanks for your comments/question. From what I've read, it is natural for this species to branch. I don't seem to have any fragrance with these...I don't think many phal's have a fragrance. As for my growing conditions...greenhouse with as much light as our Michigan skies will permit, which isn't much, certainly not near what you must have living in Athens!!!!! I feed my orchids everytime I water, except the paph's which get a washout once a month or so. And I try not to overwater but there must be something about growing plants and human nature to water, water, water! I think food, water, air circulation and light have increased my flower spikes this year over last.

[Molly Taco]

Great growing to the both of you.
Cin

[Gin]

Very pretty Schilleriana ..Giovanna .. and with scent ... Mine is in spike I have had it a long time .. No scent at all I think they have cloned the scent out of them .. ( Just my humble opinion ) .. Supposed to smell like roses . Gin

[GiovannaD]

Thank you for your kind words, everybody, I really appreciate it. I was kind of nervous before the first bloom opened, because I didn't know if it really was an original schilleriana or a hybrid with spotted leaves.
BTW Bikerdoc5968: I kept this phal a bit on the dry side and kept it under high light...when I watered it more frequently, some root tips blackened so I resumed the previous watering schedule.
Gin: That is exactly how it smells...like a rose that has lost most of it scent, but you can still tell it's there. I hope next year it will be stronger.

[PAL]

Gosh, I can only hope my little P. Schill. does half as well. They are supposed to have the 'faint' smell of roses and the branching spikes are normal with age.
Great growing to both of you!
Al