baby phal gigantea

[Kmac]

This was a freebie, and I've seen one phal gigantea in person, so I am thrilled to have it. But, I have a couple of questions. If anyone is familiar with this species, I'd be thrilled to have any info you can share.

1. Is it true that it takes more light than most phals?
2. Is it true that it takes 12 years out of flask to bloom?
3. With a leafspan of almost 4", would you guess it is a year old? 2?
4. Once it gets bigger, I've heard it is better to grow mounted. Any thoughts on that?
5. How big is a mature one anyway? I am thinking it would take a rather large mount...

Thanks!

[panam]

Wow, Kathi, between grab-bags and freebies, you're doing well!

[orchidlady]

I have never grown one because they get too big for my conditions, but know people that have them. Estimating age and maturity are difficult to estimate because there are so many variables involved with growth and how long to get to blooming size. Yes, they can take many years to get to blooming size, but depends on if the plant likes the conditions or not. Plants will grow faster under optimal conditions. As far as size, they can get leaves as long as 6 feet. They do tend to like brighter light and many growers do mount them, but depends on your particular conditions.

Susan

[Kmac]

6 feet!!!!!

Egads!

Maybe it is a good thing they grow slowly...that will give me time to add a room onto the house for it


Patty--yes, this was a unexpected goodie--the best kind!

[gardenguysorchids]

I saw one this spring while setting up for an orchid show that took four men to carry in and hang. It was gigantic and beautiful. It was mounted. That is all I know about them. I would love to have one but just don't have the time to take care of mounts at the present.

[catasetum-ian]

This was a freebie, and I've seen one phal gigantea in person, so I am thrilled to have it. But, I have a couple of questions. If anyone is familiar with this species, I'd be thrilled to have any info you can share.

1. Is it true that it takes more light than most phals?
2. Is it true that it takes 12 years out of flask to bloom?
3. With a leafspan of almost 4", would you guess it is a year old? 2?
4. Once it gets bigger, I've heard it is better to grow mounted. Any thoughts on that?
5. How big is a mature one anyway? I am thinking it would take a rather large mount...

Thanks!

1.if u put in under brighter light condition, you will get the silvery green coloration of the leave and they bloom more freely, but under shadier conditions, the leaves lack of the silvery metallic color but leave span are longer but they don't bloom as freely.
2.can't really answer how long does it takes for it to flower from flask but 8 is what i had been told, depends a lot on cultivation method.
3.can't estimate the age from leave span, i got three baby from flask, been with me for three months, there is one with 1.5 inch leave when it came, the second leave it produce is 2 inches and the current one is near to 3 inches, so as u can see.......depends on cultivation method
4.yeap, they prefer mounted on huge trees, fern roots or drift wood. my two teenage gigantea is mounted on fern roots while the three babies are in clay pots hanged tilted to prevent water accumulation at the crown area
5.dunno much about maximum size, six feet from the last post is the biggest i have heard so far

[Michael Saar]

I think 6 foot leaves is a bit of an exaggeration. I reviewed AOS cultural awards, and the longest leaf was 50 cm. In his book, Eric Christenson idicates leaves to 68.5 cm. (Bulbophllum phalaenopsis, on the other hand, can have leaves of 150 cm and longer)

[Kmac]

Bill--yes, the one I saw was at an orchid show also. It was big, but not THAT big.
Ian--thanks, that is helpful; I think I will keep the light on the bright side. Sounds like mine has a long time til it is big enough to bloom. which is what I thought.
Michael--thanks, that makes me feel better!

[panam]

Kathi, don't get too comfortable that the phal won't be as gigantic as you've heard. After all, everything's bigger in Texas!!

[catttan]

The biggest I have seen had leaves about 30 inches long and it was growing mounted on a tree.