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The bottom flat of 2.5" pots is an
example of recently repotted Phals. Most Phals come out of compot
(community pots) and the smaller plants go into this size pot while the
larger ones go directly into 4" pots. The top flat of 2.5" pots is
an example of a flat approximately 8 to 10 months after planting and just
before they are transplanted again into larger pots. The smaller
plants will go into 4" pots and the larger ones may skip directly into
five inch pots, depending on the leaf span and root growth.
In general, when they are first planted in it, the plants have leaf spans
that are close to twice the size of the pot, give or take an inch or two. But even that is not a
reliable guide. The leaf spans of standard adult or near adult Phals may
reach 18 to 24 inches and still require a 5 inch pot to keep the root
system from being "over-potted" and therefore prone to stay
damp over long which promotes root rot problems. Miniature or compact
growing "sweetheart" types may never outgrow a 4" pot and
still be blooming size adult plants. Miniatures may actually bloom
for the first time in 2.5 inch pots with leaf spans under 5 inches.
Phalaenopsis equestris hybrids often do this and then go on to be much larger
plants.
The list
below attempts to correspond leaf spans with pot sizes because this topic
generates so many email questions. Keep in mind
that leaf span measures from leaf tip to leaf tip and is not a measurement
of each leaf. Keep in mind that seedlings grow and as the above
picture demonstrates sometimes pretty fast. Also keep in mind that
this list is a big generalization and not a guarantee. When you
order, you are always welcome to ask for the current leaf span of the
plants I plan to ship or the ultimate size a plant is expected to reach.
I usually ship the largest plants I have of a particular group and
sometimes think to warn people on my own when something is smaller than
the basic sizes listed below before I ship.
A
2.5" pot mini-compot is planted with seedlings whose leaf
spans begin at about 2.5 to 3 inches but may reach 5 to 7 inches before I
get around to repotting them into larger pots.
2.5" pots have plants whose leaf spans begin at about 4 inches when first
planted.
4" pots have leaf spans that begin at about 6 to 8 inches when
planted. Some Phals may bloom for the first time in this size pot
within about a year.
5" pots generally start with plants at 6 to 9 inches leaf spans.
These are blooming size or near blooming size plants and many or even most
will bloom during the next flowering season.
6" pots generally have plants with leaf spans anywhere from 10
inches and larger. These may or may not be previously bloomed plants
but all are blooming size. "Blooming Size" means the plant is the size when
most of it's kind bloom. Of course, culture and genetics play a
large role in deciding when and if a plant ever achieves anthesis, and I make no
promises. Previously bloomed plants have not been culled for
quality. I am not an orchid judge. I do however toss out any
which show deformities, if I see them bloom before you do. And
I occasionally set one aside to use as a pollen
or capsule parent in my own breeding program if it shows traits I like. |
