FlyTrapCare Forums

I purchased it from Home Depot and it was only labeled as
079925231165 MEDORCHID SB <A> 12.98
5IN MEDIUM DECORATIVE ORCHID -SB

It is pure white and then after some time, it gets these spots on the flower petals as seen in the photo.

I m almost positive it’s a Phal. Do you have a picture of the leaf’s?

Edit: Did that come out as Philodendron, I meant Phalaenopsis. Phal’s are probably the most widely circulated orchid out there. Philodendron aren’t even in the orchid family! Dang autocorrect.

No, it is most definitely not a Philodendron. Philos are aroids and have flowers like that of peace lilies (Spathiphyllum ).

It's either a Phalanopsis or some sort of Doritaenopsis. (This latter is an intergeneric hybrid -- a cross between two genera.) Pure white flowers of just about any type of plant, IME, tend to "show their age" much sooner than other colors. However, the spotting here makes me suspect possible thrip issues or, more likely, a situation in which water droplets have been sitting on the flowers. Do you mist the flowers or allow spray from fertilizers or pesticides to hit the flowers?

Yeah, philodendrons are very different from orchids. They also vine and rarely bloom unless in perfect conditions. They are closely related to Anthuriums and Monstera in the aroid family.

DragonsEye wrote: ↑Fri Dec 23, 2022 11:42 pm No, it is most definitely not a Philodendron. Philos are aroids and have flowers like that of peace lilies (Spathiphyllum ).

It's either a Phalanopsis or some sort of Doritaenopsis. (This latter is an intergeneric hybrid -- a cross between to genera.) Pure white flowers of just about any type of plant, IME, tend to "show their age" much sooner than other colors. However, the spotting here makes me suspect possible thrip issues or, more likely, a situation in which water droplets have been sitting on the flowers. Do you mist the flowers or allow spray from fertilizers or pesticides to hit the flowers?

Water did get on them. These were next to some Nepenthes I was applying MaxSea to foliarly.
Thanks for all the help.

Supercazzola wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 1:04 am Water did get on them. These were next to some Nepenthes I was applying MaxSea to foliarly.

Then that is highly likely the source of your issue. When water droplets remain on the petals/sepals for any length of time, bacteria can proliferate and cause spotting damage like that. When you add in the fact that it was Maxsea, which contains nutrients which bacteria can feed upon, the problem may have been compounded.

I agree with others. This phalaenopsis has had some sort of liquid hit the flowers. Makes them look bad but they likely will survive as long as flowers would without the damage.

I have a white phalaenopsis that just started a new flower spike.

thanks everyone. I guess unless I can find the same one at Home Depot, there isn't a way to know the hybrid name? I think the supplier was better gro. So maybe they have an index somewhere? I'll keep looking...

Supercazzola wrote: ↑Mon Dec 26, 2022 5:43 am thanks everyone. I guess unless I can find the same one at Home Depot, there isn't a way to know the hybrid name? I think the supplier was better gro. So maybe they have an index somewhere? I'll keep looking...

White phals are mass produced by the truckload and there are an unbelievable number of lookalike hybrids.... especially with white phals. Honestly, even if you found another white phals at HD, I would not be confident that it would be the same hybrid you have

that will teach me for not buying one with a label on it.

If you're not planning on breeding it or entering it in orchid shows, it really isn't a huge deal. You'll still be able to enjoy it for what it is.

Not sure about the specific name of the hybrid but this style of orchid is called a big lip phalaenopsis.