You know I don't really understand why Noids are not valued more by most
orchid addicts. I mean if one does not plan to try to exhibit or award one's
orchid, what does it matter that the only name you've got for it is Phal
Noid. If it is a really vigorous plant with nice flowers then why would you
not value it as much as or even more than Phal Exact Name 'Oh So Special'
AM/AOS, especially if that second plant is not flourishing for you despite
its impeccable pedigree. Give me a healthy no name mutt, and I will prefer
it anytime over a high maintenance awarded fancy namer. Of course if the
plant is a no name orchid that is not healthy or thriving, I won't value it,
except maybe as a challenge to see if I can make it well again.

Joanna

"Nancy G." wrote in message
ups.com...

Jack wrote:
I picked up 4 phals from a box store (made friends with one of the guys
who works in the garden department who would rather sell me the orchids
for $5 than see them thrown away) I know that most of them are throw
aways from the flask grown for mass market, but.....

I've rescued some phals in a similar situation. There were no tags
visible in the pots, but I was later pleasantly surprised to find names
stenciled on the plastic pots that were inserted into clay pots.

At the very least, these are good practice plants. You can experiment
with plant foods, insecticides, potting methods or mounts etc before
you use the product on your more expensive plants. I admit, I've
treated the NOIDS quite casually in the past and have used some bizarre
techniques. The blooms in the future will be rewarding and lovely.

They also make good gifts for beginners that you may know. It is
selfish, but easier to lose absolute control over an inexpensive plant
to a novice. They are primarily interested in the blooms and many
don't know about tags and names, that will come later if they are
geniunely hooked on orchids.

I have also displayed various blooms and plants in a restaurant I eat
at frequently, the local nursing home, and have a few people that have
my version of plant of the month, in which I exchange a blooming plant
for another plant that has faded. They have the blooms for a couple of
weeks, maybe a month and are not responsible for an orchid for a year
trying to get it to rebloom. I enjoy sharing the plants in that way,
rather than letting the blooms fade unseen in a greenhouse.

Nancy G.