Superior Genetics

16 years ago

I picked this poor little thing up from a local greenhouse, was so underwatered and lacking light that all the leaves were sponges and it couldn't even stand on it's own,

That was only about 7 months ago, The stupid thing just won't stop blooming!!!!!!

Not that I want it to stop but I thought 'dear god it's gonna wipe itself out'

So I just kept cutting off it's spikes and lo it created a keiki.

At first I freted about it cause a keiki is only supposed to appear if the plant is under stress, dying, last ditch attempt or whatever.

But the leaves are so healthy, plump and great color, the roots are healthy, everything about it looks good.

So at the moment it has 5 spikes, 1 keiki and is growing leaves at the same time. Granted 3 of the spikes are off of a previous one but like I said, I kept cutting them off and they kept popping up, in fact two of the spikes if you will notice are actually growing from the base of the keiki.

hahaha, this orchid had no tag and was forgotten, they said it arrived in the bottom of a box of brassia's, under the paper- has got to have superior genetics to many of the others out there.

I'm amazed by it, if I was a breeder in any way I would be trying to cross it with whatever I could to boost the gene pool a bit.

I have other phals that perform amazingly for me but this one has had 13 spikes in 7 months.

I'm just glad I will have two soon.

GreenTherapy

{{gwi:207560}}

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Comments (20)

sweetcicely
16 years ago
Designer genetics, Greentherapy.

Obviously a Phal - Asparagus cross!

You didn't say what color the flowers are, and I'm curious.

Sweetcicely
mehitabel
16 years ago
Wow! Good growing.

You might want to be careful going into a room with that one at night! It might jump you from behind :)

Yes, I'm curious about the flowers, too. The toughest phal I know is Baldan's Kaleidoscope, but this one (unless it is Baldan's K) tops everything.

That little keiki looks like it came off the same node as a flowering branch, too. Didn't know they could do that. Keiki right there in the middle of all those buds is cute.

I think you win the Phal Revivalist of the Year Award for this year-- all that in 7 months. The plant obviously has gonzo genes, but...

Would you mind breathing on my phals? Just in case you're the variable? :D
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me_171
16 years ago
That is awesome, but I have to ask, would you mind sending me a keiki of that sometime?

Please post pics of the blooms.
highjack
16 years ago
And the winner is (drum roll please) GREENTHERAPY!

What an impressive example of a blooming fool. Sometimes these plants know what they want to do and the more we fiddle with them, the more they tell us to mind our own business. I have quit cutting off spikes so the energy can go to the roots because every time I do, they respike on me. If the plant appears happy, I believe it.

Can't wait for bloom pictures!

Brooke
pcan-z9
16 years ago
WOW that is really something!! I hope you will post a picture when it blooms. That phal really likes you - A LOT ...lol...
Pat..................
Sheila
16 years ago
Wow, a plant saying 'thank you'! Fabulous! Good growing.

Sheila :)
xmpraedicta
16 years ago
WOW - and that looks like one of those really nice small compact phals too (which I love)...probably has equestris in the background somewhere there. It's a real pleasure seeing multi-spiking phals! GREAT job!
t_bred
16 years ago
Green, Congrats on your good growing!!Judging by your pic's I might guess (looking at the leaf shape) this is a Doritaenopsis-a mix of phal and doritis. They do tend to multi-spike and grow keikis. Nice plants,I have one myself.Same growing conditions as phal. Nice job!!
greentherapy
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the comments everyone, I honestly can't say if it's my growing or it, leaning more towards it and it's genes of course.
It is a compact plant actually, which is kinda nice cause I do have a couple phals who are so massive I think the pot may break.
I also think your right t-bred, there has to be some doritis in there some where, not just cause of it's growing habits but because of the flower, very cute and compact and has more of a doritis shape rather than a full phal.

Mehitabel- Yes the keiki and those two spikes are right off the same node, very odd isn't it. I had to take a double take when I saw that one happen.

Here is aparently the only picture I have taken of it.
{{gwi:207565}}
t_bred
16 years ago
STUNNING!!!! Who wouldn't love to have 5 spikes of that?
xmpraedicta
16 years ago
Absolutely stunning O_O Is that a slight pinkish blush, or is it a lighting effect? Either way, white or pink, that is really amazing. Reminds me of my branching white mini phal - maybe they're sister plants!
junglejim45
16 years ago
Wow get that thing a new name - an intergeneric - Asparaphal ( asparagus "many spearus" x phal.) You have enough spikes for stir fry !!
sweetcicely
16 years ago
How lovely! Thank you for the pictures, GreenTherapy.

The leaves and their growth habit reminded me so much of my NoID pink Phal that I was curious to see if it were also that most delicate of pinks.

Good genes notwithstanding, you should be dubbed "Fairy Godmother/father" for the astounding recovery of your Cinderella. Please post a picture when she is dressed for the Ball.

Sweetcicely
me_171
16 years ago
That is amazing I absolutely love it.

First post I made I was semi-kidding about wanting a keike of that but I really would love one now lol.

Great find and nice growing.
mehitabel
16 years ago
Oh, it's beautiful! Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

Those white multifloras with yellow lip are just gorgeous. Yours is an almost perfect one.

I've had one on my wish list for a while, and I was able to get one at the HD promo. It isn't as flat as yours, tho.

I'm with everyone else here: IMpressed. Good picking *and* good growing.
mehitabel
16 years ago
Sweetcicely, a delicate pale-pink or white-blushed-pink multiflora has also been on my list. I've just suddenly gotten caught by the multi-floras-- so graceful (to my eye anyway).

Your taste is impeccable :P
sweetcicely
16 years ago
Mehitabel (please excuse the diversion, GreenTherapy),

Alas! They all seem to be Noids. I would be most grateful if you could suggest a name or names for which I could look. Those so-delicate pinks always set my retinal ganglia a-twitter.

Sweetcicely
highjack
16 years ago
Between blue negligees for curtains and your twittering rentinal ganglia, you're a hoot Sweetcicely.

greentherapy you certainly have a gorgeous, dying to bloom phal. I can't wait for future pics!

Brooke
mehitabel
16 years ago
Sweetcicely, alas, I don't know any to recommend. The color we're talking about is just in my minds' eye. Or maybe in the retinal ganglia :)

However, any multiflora with P. Timothy Christopher as a parent is likely to be a winner.

NOIDS? Don't apologize for that. I bought a couple of them just a few weeks ago. A phal can be beautiful without being a Duchess, as we've seen on this thread :)

Anyhow, I suspect that growers may be able to avoid paying royalties if they don't tag a plant like Baldan's Kaleidoscope, so they can sell it for less and get more customers for it. So sometimes a NOID really is a well-known and awarded plant anyway, just going around incognito.
sweetcicely
16 years ago
Thank you, Mehitabel. The only named, broad pale pinks I had seen were on Chinese language sites with no translation. P. Timothy Christopher is a good influence to watch for.
Far be it from me to disparage NoIDs, but without a name, it is hard to search.

I love my pink NoID--my first orchid. It has endured all my mistakes and taught me so much. How humbling it is, when ignorance is rewarded with grace and beauty. Sigh!

Sweetcicely

Superior Genetics

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