On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 16:09:48 -0400, Rob
wrote:

wrote:


SuE

I just took a look at the Doritaenopsis pictured on your site, and I'm
more and more convinced that my phal is in fact a Doritaenopsis of
some sort.

Is it common for a Doritaenopsis to be sold as a "straight"
Phal? Am I supposed to treat it any differently than I would if it was
just a Phal? I ask the question, knowing I don't plant on changing
the care I give it. I just like to know which rules I'm breaking. g
--Vic

Vic,

You are very unlikely to be able to tell if it is Dtps or Phal just by
looking at it. It is possible if it is a first or (sometimes) second
generation hybrid. But, for reasons that don't always entirely make
sense, the doritis that makes a plant a Doritaenopsis could have been
its great,great,great,great...who knows how many greats, grandparent.
Once you put Doritis into the ancestry, it stays.

This leads to the vast majority of Dtps looking just like any other
phalaenopsis. They are equivalent. Frankly, they are so equivalent
that it is really a false distinction. That applies to culture, as
well. There is no meaningful distinction between the culture of the two.

Don't try to identify your no name phal from pictures. It is impossible
to ever know for sure, in almost all cases. And it doesn't matter,
anyway. Just treat it like a phal, enjoy it for its pretty flowers, and
try to keep yourself from buying too many more orchids. Addiction is
dangerous... *grin*


Rob


Rob,

Mostly I have given up trying to identify it. I just happened to be in
the store, and they just happened to have some plants for sale, and
one just happened to look very familiar...so my curiosity fired up
again.

Trust me. I am enjoying my plant, whatever it is. It's getting watered
and fed today. It really does look fabulous in full bloom. I'm very,
very satisfied with it.

As for the ones I noticed for sale, they were way over-priced, and
they wouldn't be my first choice anyway if I were to add to my
collection. Now I just need to stay away from the upcoming orchid
show. g
--Vic