Phalaenopsis gigantea

We got this plant a little bit as a consolation prize, but have since grown to love it. We had really wanted one of those huge Bulbophyllums like Bulbo phalenopsis that make leaves 6ft long. However, they were more than a little out of our price range at $150! Even seedlings are like $50! There was a local man in our area in Florida that specializes in Bulbophyllums, but also grows just about everything. He has a sale at his home once per year. We attended that and saw a larger version of the Phal gigantea and thought it would make a nice giant bulbophyllum substitute. It was also more within our price range at $35. It also has pretty flowers that don't smell like dead rotting things.  It had three nice leaves when we bought it, and it's planted sideways in a shallow 2-3" orchid basket that is 8". It is growing in moss over Styrofoam peanuts for air circulation. We added a little more moss to the top part because that's where most of the roots were and they were looking a little exposed. After their life in a greenhouse, we were worried they would find their new life a bit drier. We keep it moist just like our other Phals, watering when the medium is mostly but not completely dry. We have been fertilizing it along with all the others every time we water. It has made a nice big new leaf for us. It seems to be quite happy. We are also really happy with our purchase.