I just saw today some ghost orchids for sale.Yes, GHOST ORCHIDS !!!!!!!! They were seedlings at M.D. orchids for $20 each! Are these illegal to sell in any way? Also, has anyone successfuly grown one for an extended period of time? I don't really want to get one, just want to get some background info.
I'm not familiar with MD Orchids, would you mind sending me a PM with more information on them, I'm always looking for places to buy more plants!
To answer your question directly. They're not illegal - as long as they aren't wild-collected specimens. I have a specimen growing now in my terrarium which is approximately 2-3 years old. I've almost killed it twice - yet the two plants are still going on their little cork mount. They are VERY tricky and difficult to grow (not for the novice grower) - let alone bloom. I'm very determined to make it happen though!
Franco is correct - cultivated plants are fine for sale. It is illegal to remove 'wild' growing ones. He is also correct that they are extremely difficult to grow outside their native habitat. I know there are at least a couple if members who have had some moderate success growing them. You might use the search function to find those posts.
The key to this orchids 'heart' is lots of air movement and daily misting.
D
Mistking
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The key to this orchids 'heart' is lots of air movement and daily misting.
D
I'm afraid this is a bit of an understatement, at least in my experience. These guys are notorious for wanting minimal air movement, and very high humidity - conditions that are almost 'stagnant'. The success stories with these orchids are few and far between. They really need perfect conditions to thrive and bloom - unfortunately we haven't found that definition of "perfect" just yet. Though high humidity and minimal-moderate air movement are definitely key. Though even with those two conditions in place - i've killed many seedlings.
Mistking
Looking for a misting system? Look no further. Automated misting systems from MistKing are used by multitude of plant enthusiasts and are perfect for Orchids. Systems feature run dry pumps, ZipDrip valve, adjustable black nozzles, per second control! Automatically mist one growing shelf or a greenhouse full of Orchids.