I have a stupid question.

What are the tiny thimble size orchids that the grocery store and BB store are selling? Are they a Phal but have been grown different to grow small like you would do a bonsia?

They had them for 1.00 today at Lowes so I picked one up. It was just so cute.

You wouldn't happen to have a picture? That would make it a bit easier.....

I have never seen any of those, Cinta. Photographs would help. Do they have labels?

I am headed to Lowe's this AM and will look for what you describe.

Sounds like she's talking about the mini phals. I saw some recently at Sprouts. too.

Nope, as usual, our Lowe's has nothing of interest.

Tolumnia?

Okay let me go take a pic.

Okay I put a normal size one next to it so you can get an idea



close up of the flower

It's a lovely little mini-Phalaenopsis, Cinta. You got that for a dollar? Awesome buy - they're at least $7 here.

They're actually a dwarf type, not just grown in a cramped style to stay small. You might want to make sure that tiny pot has drainage holes and isn't completely packed with soggy moss. It's a common way for these little guys to be sold.

These minis do better for me than the big ones. Good buy Cinta.

Jim

Great buy!..I've never been able to grow a mini..that one is adorable with the picotee edging!

Thank you. I always wondered if they were just a mini or a stunt growth type.

My Lowes sell them for a 1.00 every year. They get new stock in so often they move their stuff out on clearance quick. I buy them every year and kill them every year. But I feel for a dollar it is cute to have around on the coffee table. The flowers usually last a couple of months with the air on in the house.

Cinta, do you know where McKees Rocks is?

Cinta...great buy...I have two of the minis that I bought at Walmart. They marked them down and only had two. They were a $1 each also. I let mine finish blooming then repotted them. They are doing reat and are growing right beside my standard phals.. Wish I could find some more. I really like them.

drdawg said:Cinta, do you know where McKees Rocks is?

Yes it is about 30 minutes from my house.

I have some plants going there next week.

Small world. My in laws use to live there. They have both gone into nursing homes and sold the house and I divorced the husband so I have not been there for years.

Small world indeed.

Cinta, the miniature (sub-compact) Phal. plants arrived today. I disposed of those terrible ceramic pots (you might as well trash them as soon as you get the orchids home) and the 1.5" plastic "starter" pots. Then I threw them, with there sphagnum moss intact, into a sink of water and let them soak for about 10 min. I removed all the moss, trimmed off all the dead roots, and am letting them sit in the solarium overnight. I will then mount them all. I find that compacts and sub-compacts do better for me if they are mounted.

Thank you, Cinta.

If I had known all that I could have sent them in a smaller box.
I was upset that night when I went to pick them up for you that one of them did not have a pot. I was looking all over the plant department for the little pot. I guess someone liked the pot and not the plant and lifted that.