dove orchids

[kindrag23]

Saw a couple of old posts talking about dove orchids? Are they readily available state side?

What are the requirements foe caring for them?

[GregorK]

I feel you!

[LizB88]

I love dove orchids! I almost order one from Hawaii, but then I read this...

Peristeria elata is the national flower of Panama and is extremely over-collected in its native habitat. This over collection has led to its status as a species threatened with extinction delineated in Appendix I of CITES. In its native habitat, Peristeria can usually be found growing near the edge of hardwood forests. In the fall, after the trees in the hardwood forest lose their leaves, the plants are exposed to full sun throughout the cool, dry winter. Species in this genus are either epiphytic or terrestrial in growth habit.

And don't know much about ordering plants from the mail, so I'll wait to see if I see them at a show.

Oh! Yeah! found this pic too!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Peristeria_elata_Orchi_11.jpg[/IMG]

[Bud]

My dove orchid (elata) is in spike, as soon as it opens its blooms I will post pictures and infos about my culture.
I got my five year old plant two years ago from a grower in Florida.

[MattWoelfsen]

There are three plants up for auction on eBay. Two plants are from Kawamoto Orchids, purveyor of many orchids. This company is in Hawaii and is very reputable. I have bought a plant from them and they are very easy to work with. The other plant available is from a guy named "shermantp" out of Larsen, Wisconsin. I have also bought a plant from him. He is also very easy to deal with. If you go to eBay and search for "peristeria" you'll find these three plants.

These plants seem to be large plants and the shipping costs are high. Here is a picture of the plant from shermantp. Just for kicks, I might go ahead and bid on it. Right now it is up to US$39.75.

Carter and Holmes has a pretty good description of this plant's culture. Here is a link:

http://www.carterandholmes.com/peristcare.html



PS: After reading this thread and then elsewhere on the web, I went ahead and bought this plant from Kawamoto Orchids out of Hawaii. This orchid vendor is really easy to deal with--I should have this plant and another Vanda in Fort Wayne, Indiana this Wednesday. Thank you for introducing me to this plant.

[Kevin_PR]

This seller has it at a really low starting bid,Peristeria Elata Species Orchid Plant RARE Dove Orchid Fragrant Flowers | eBay I have bought fro them and was satisfied. This orchids is a terrestrial(50%promix 50% gravel). I grow it like a Phaius, warm and dappled sun. The leaves get pretty big. Give it less water when the bulbs mature.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Eskevingo

This seller has it at a really low starting bid,Peristeria Elata Species Orchid Plant RARE Dove Orchid Fragrant Flowers | eBay I have bought fro them and was satisfied. This orchids is a terrestrial(50%promix 50% gravel). I grow it like a Phaius, warm and dappled sun. The leaves get pretty big. Give it less water when the bulbs mature.

This particular plant you're talking about will not be the easiest to establish only because there is only 1 back bulb, and 1 lead. There is little room for error. It may not be a terribly difficult plant to grow, but you still want to account for any possible mishaps that could happen.

I'm not discouraging anyone from buying this, but that's the risk. I just felt that I should mention it. If you're willing to take that risk, then, ok, fine.

Just my .