What I got instead of P. stuartiana - Orchid Board

Val · #1 10-31-2011, 07:57 PM

I bought this flowering size P. stuartiana last June from Elsner. It has bloomed in due time, but it turned out not to be P. stuartiana. I remember I had some doubts upon seeing its leaves (mottled, but faintly) but I blamed my lack of knowledge/experience.

Fortunately I managed to get an ID from the vendor and I just love the flowers: round petals, flat 7 cm wide flowers. Considering that this is its very first blooming, I'm quite happy. This is my surprise: Phalaenopsis Leda (amabilis X stuartiana).

On the other hand, I'm quite disappointed with Elsner's reply: no apology, no offer to replace the plant. And when a German supplier does that, I have to admit that there's something fishy in Europe...

At least I didn't get a dud

Merlyn · #2 10-31-2011, 08:11 PM

It's actually a very nice cousin of stuartiana !!! A cousin with a clean face, no freckles or dirt spots !!! Obviously amabilis got it to clean up its act !!!

Val · #3 10-31-2011, 08:30 PM

But I love those freckles: http://www.phals.net/stuartiana/00ph0151.jpg

Merlyn · #4 10-31-2011, 09:37 PM

I know, first pix WAS my first love, I killed it. Second pix is one I have now but not a 'Sogo'.

Val · #5 10-31-2011, 09:53 PM

The flowers of the first one are stunning. The second one looks healthy and happy, I can't wait to see its flowers.

Merlyn · #6 10-31-2011, 10:19 PM

Me too ! I WILL post the pix !! If not similar to the first I WILL go find a 'Sogo' version !!! I'm told the blooms are much better on the Sogo's !!!

Fernando · #7 11-01-2011, 04:25 AM

Oh Val,
don't complain! I've got plants completely frozen when they arrived - and the vendor didn't care! I got plants after six weeks - postal services couldn't deliver it because of an incomplete address - and the vendor didn care! I lost all plants!! And the vendors are two of germans biggest...needless to say, that I never wanted to buy there again!
Like Leda very much. Indeed I'm no friend of the "new" freckled stuartianas out there; line breeding has changed the white stuartiana to a hybrid in itself! I suppose Leda will even grow easier, as most stuartianas are poor growers.
Enjoy your plant for it is really lovely!

Fer

RosieC · #8 11-02-2011, 02:47 PM

Shame it's not what you ordered, and that the vendor didn't care. However to my eye I do prefer this hybrid, even though the species is more distinctive. Knowing what it is is also a bonus.

Val · #9 11-02-2011, 04:31 PM

I can tell you one thing: this little Leda will never feel unwanted in my collection