Leafless orchids--anyone tried them?

[Tricho]

Hi Scott

I would go for the Chiloschista, they are easier (as markr said). but more importantly, don't go for the ghost, for two reasons. They are very similar (a bit nicer) to Dendrophylax funalis, but harder to cultivate and the ones that are being sold are younger.

note: POLYRRHIZA (POLYRADICION) lindenii is a synonym of Dendrophylax lindenii

[Tindomul]

Good info! Thanks.

[flhiker]

Hi Scott, I have a Polyrrhiza Lindenil (ghost orchid) that I purchased on ebay. I have had it about 3 months and it seems to be doing ok. Like Tricho said the ones being sold are small, probably growen in a flasked. I do have one advantage I happen to live where they grow naturally. From what I have read about it is that they can be very difficult to get to flower in captivity if your lucky to get it to grow to maturity. I visit 3 ghost orchids in the wild about every 2 to 3 weeks and have noticed that all of them are where water is most of the year and not in the direct sun, they also like air movement. The price of a seedling is around $30.00 with no garantees. Good luck and keep us informed how it goes. In my gallery I have pictures of a spiking ghost orchid According to this link Ghost Orchid - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia the ghost is very rare and endangered In another artical I read their are only 90 known plant in the Fakahatchee Strand I believe that was from the East Florida Orchid Org.

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by Charles

There may be a shortage of them in the wild these days as this Florida drought drags on.

Polyradicion lindenii is actually a VERY common species in its localities (Fakahatchee Strand, Big Cypress, etc.). The reason it is thought to be rare is because it is limited to Cuba and four counties in Florida; Collier, Lee, Hendry, and Monroe. The areas where they are found are not easily accessible unless visited in the driest months (our winter and spring)...

-Pat

[Charles]

I think the ghost orchids are exactly what we all love about orchids. They are not your average run-of-the-mill plants. They are weird alien like creatures. They do strange things and just when you expect the mother ship to land and drag them off, "POP!" Out comes a wonderful flower.

[IowaOrchid]

Charles, I just bought a dendrophylax funalis which came yesterday. It is a very nice size and in beautiful condition. Thought I would give it a try, gotta be daring.

Julie

[puddin]

Good for you! Tell us how your doing with the plant! I want to, but I don't think I'm ready for mounts yet. I grow mine in the house, so I can't keep it humid enough, and I can't just spray the plant. Then it would get on the wall and it would rot. We have a fixed up house.

[nancy]

I also grow a Chiloschista; I do not find it to be finicky, but my humidity is really high, and it grows outside most of the time. Chicago, though?
My thoughts on *this* leafless orchid: inflorescence grows agonizingly slowly, and I'm totally stunned every time it blooms.
I have also heard that the FL ghost orchid (Polyrhiza?) is just not a good choice for home culture...unless you have a shack in the Everglades.