Need Help With Schomburgkia Thomsoniana & Ctna. Why not x Epc. Purple Glory

[Cindy K]

Hi: I just returned from an Orchid Show! Made several purchases but am having trouble finding information on two of them. They are Schomburgkia Thomsoniana (also labelled banana orchid) and Ctn. Why not x Epc. Purple Glory. These are the names on the tags. I asked the vendor for care info at the time of purchase but she did not seem to know much about orchids! They look very healthy and each have lots of leaves! I think that they were imported for the show though and the seller was not a real orchid grower! Was wondering how each should be potted as they are just in a plastic sleeve right now. Also how much sun, water and can they be put outside for the summer? Is the Banana orchid best in a pot or mounted on bark? (I have never done that before but read somewhere that it might be best) Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance, Cindy K.

[Dorothy]

My thomasiana died because I kept it too moist ( I had sphag moss in the medium .. best medium is coarse bark or coconut husk chips- well draining medium. I have a tibincis in a basket and it's doing great.
Here is a past thread on schombos - and in it, links to other threads and sites - Looking forSchomburgkia Info
You can pot or mount your schombo ..

[quiltergal]

The Ctn. x Epc. should be treated as any other Catt. High - medium light, course well draining medium, let it dry between waterings.

FWIW, all the Schombos I've seen have been mounted. Probably why I don't have one yet....that and their size.

[Lorraine]

Hi CindyK,
Welcome to Schombo world. I got mine a couple months ago and its doing fine. I don't know where you live but they like lots of sunlight. Mine is in a cocoa mat basket with treefirn and hydroton mixed in it that's it in the picture. They like to dry out so it can be mounted on wood or cork and you can water it more frequently that way. I have some in a basket with treefirn chunks and thats all and it's doing fine also. Another is mounted on cork. They are grown like a catt. If it gets too much sun directly on it you will see purplish color where it is sunburned. You might have to move it around a little because of the summer sun. Mine likes having the early morning sun and late late afternoon sun. It 's protected by my tree during the rest of the day. FYI not all schombos get huge. I'm getting a couple more at the end of the month for my birthday. yippi!
Lorraine

[Cindy K]

Thanks for your reply Lorraine and Happy Birthday!! I have decided to attach my Banana Orchid to driftwood. I have never done this before and was wondering if I should put some moss around the roots or not. I assume that I should use a bit of wire to attach it as well. Does this sound okay to you? Thanks in advance for any responses!

[Lorraine]

Originally Posted by Cindy K

Thanks for your reply Lorraine and Happy Birthday!! I have decided to attach my Banana Orchid to driftwood. I have never done this before and was wondering if I should put some moss around the roots or not. I assume that I should use a bit of wire to attach it as well. Does this sound okay to you? Thanks in advance for any responses!

Hi CindyK,

If you have some type of wire that would secure it for sure just twist it in the back (carefull not too tight). I have 16 gage brass wire I use for different projects and it is great for mounting these guys. It is a softer and more pliable wire. Won't rust either. I would put small amount of moss behind the chid before wiring it on, then after mix some around the roots and wrap with fishing line. Depending on how long the roots are you can get them worked around the wood a little and secure as you are wrapping. I loop one end of the line and thread it through and then wrap. Tie it off back where you started and add another line if needed. This allows the moss to dry out and you can tell when it needs to get watered again. Mine get it every other day and when really hot sometimes 2x day. You'll just have to wait and check them till you get an idea of your conditions.
Let me know how it goes. and if you need more info.

Make sure that the driftwood is saltfree if you picked it up at a beach. You'll have to soak it a couple times to release the salts.

Lorraine

[Queenslander]

Originally Posted by Cindy K

Thanks for your reply Lorraine and Happy Birthday!! I have decided to attach my Banana Orchid to driftwood. I have never done this before and was wondering if I should put some moss around the roots or not. I assume that I should use a bit of wire to attach it as well. Does this sound okay to you? Thanks in advance for any responses!

How did the banana orchid turn out Cindy? Just curious.

[Queenslander]

How well did the Schomburgkia do?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Queenslander

How well did the Schomburgkia do?

thread started in '08 ... member has not posted since ...