Phaius tankervillae - Orchid Board

mawnature · #1 11-17-2007, 12:19 PM

Hello all,

I'm interested in learning more about the Nun's Orchid, Phaius tankervillae. I read that it is a "ground orchid", that is that it grows in the ground rather than air.

If anyone grows this orchid, I would really like to hear from you, with anything you can tell me of your experiences with it!

The one I have is young, is in a pot, and I believe it is now potbound.

**Should I repot it?

**I'm in zone 8, so could I put it in the ground?

**It's getting dark spots on the edges of the leaves, since I brought it inside for the winter

......any comments?

Thank you for any suggestions you have for me.

Annette/mawnature

Ray · #2 11-17-2007, 04:22 PM

I have seen it grown in almost pure sand (very sandy loam) in central Florida. (zone 9) I have mine in semi-hydroponics, but have also grown them in ProMix HP or sphagnum.

OrchidTess · #3 11-17-2007, 07:16 PM

Mine is growing (and spiking) in potting soil, packing peanuts and large cattleya bark. It's been growing and blooming in this mix for 3 years now...and is now rather large.

Tommyr · #4 11-18-2007, 01:53 PM

Mine is 3 years old now. Regular potting mix, kept moist. Bright light with a little late afternoon sun. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. This photo was taken in late winter last year.

mawnature · #5 11-18-2007, 03:07 PM

Many, many thanks to all who replied to my post on Phaius tankervillae. I especially appreciate the picture from Tommy. So far, mine has only one stalk. BTW, is there a certain time of year when they bloom? The bloom on Tommy's seems to have the flower stalk right in the center of the of the foliage. I'm trying to figure out where to expect the bloom stalk to form, and when also to look for it. Tommy, would you mind giving me this info?
Many thanks from a totally new orchid grower.
Annette

Tommyr · #6 11-18-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mawnature

BTW, is there a certain time of year when they bloom? The bloom on Tommy's seems to have the flower stalk right in the center of the of the foliage. I'm trying to figure out where to expect the bloom stalk to form, and when also to look for it. Tommy, would you mind giving me this info?
Many thanks from a totally new orchid grower.
Annette

Hi Annette,
Mine blooms in Feb./March. The flower stalk will grow from along side the base of a leaf.

Welcome to the orchid world!

Tom

OrchidTess · #7 11-18-2007, 03:38 PM

Now is when they spike....late fall. They appear next to the base of a leaf. The spikes remind me of large asparagus spears.

Ray · #8 11-19-2007, 09:29 AM

Once the flowers fall off, cut the spike into pieces, each bearing one "node". Press them flat in some sand, maybe buried about halfway, and keep them warm and moist, and you'll likely get new plants emerging.

mawnature · #9 11-19-2007, 10:17 AM

Tess, and Ray....I'm very pleased to get the information which you provided on P. tankervillae. So far I don't have a spike on it, but when I do, I'll know what to expect, and what to do with the bloom stem when the blooms are gone. Great tips, guys!!

Annette

PuffyWillow79864 · #10 11-19-2007, 04:42 PM

I too have a recently aquired Phaius, and this has answered some questions for me. Mine arrived bare rootedand, knowing nothing at all about them, I potted it in a clear pot in a coarse bark mix. Then I went to an Orchid show, and was advised to repot it intothose little fibre cubes, which I duly purchased and potted it into. After this I managed to contact the person who sent it to me, and he said to pot it into a peat based mix, which I have now done. So, in three weeks my Phaius has been re-potted three times. I hope it won't suffer after all this.