Phal Baldan's Geisha 'Happy Stripes'

I purchased this orchid four years ago.  At the time it was a bare root seedling.  It has bloomed twice before, but this is the first time (April 2010) that the blooms were of a good quality.  I probably could have gotten to this point quicker, but I have been experimenting with media for Phals.  This Phal has been in a plastic pot with expanded clay and charcoal.  Yes, I know.  That is a weird media for a Phal.  But the picture is the proof that it can be done.  However, I must admit I have finally accepted the inevitable and now pot my Phals in AAA New Zealand Sphagnum Moss.  It is really the only way to go if you want your plants to grow quickly, strong, and with healthy blooms.  The biggest downside to the the moss is that you will have to REPOT EVERY year right after the plant is finished blooming.

What do you grow your Phals in?

PHALS in Bloom!

Hopefully, you have some Phals in bloom at this time of the year.

If you changed the media this past year.... (I suggest only AAA New Zealand Sphagnum Moss)

If you kept the media "moist" and not too soggy.....

If you put something in the bottom of the pot to keep the moss from holding too much water at the bottom of the pot......

If you kept them in the right amount of shade..... (no direct sun EVER)

If you did not let them get too hot......(preferably no hotter than 80 or 85 degrees F)

If they got some cool temeratures in November or December ......(55 to 60 degrees F for a week or more)

If you got all of these things right, I bet you have some Phals in bloom.  They are beautiful and some of the species and hybrids have blooms that last two or three months.