Phaius tankervilliae

[greenbean]

I think the leaves kind of look like cast iron plant (aspidistra). Just makes me giggle a bit. Like a few other people on here, I really like it, but it's too bad it gets so big.

Pics 4 and 5 are really good. I wouldn't mind seeing a calender with one of those in it.

[pheli]

Phaius tankervilliae is our native orchid, but it is not easy to find the wild plants now.
It reminds me of another native species, Arundina graminifolia, which is the lowland orchids here but it's also not easy to see the wild plants.
But, these two ones, seem to do well in Hawaii and become the wild plants there.

[D&S Mabel]

I've got 6 spikes in bloom too. Interesting that mine has been in the same 16" dia pot for years now, never has tried to outgrow that pot although I feed and water it regularly and the plant looks very healthy. 5 to 7 spikes every year and stays about the same size... I have to admit that I have not repotted or messed with the potting mix in 6 years now... This is one no-fuss/no-bother plant.

I had never noticed a fragrance... I'll be checking around noon today!

[Leisurely]

D&SMabel, when you do decide to repot, any leafless backbulbs can be separated from the main plant and potted up separately. They can be quite productive with the ability to produce a flowering plant in a year or so.

[pedidiva]

Gorgeous plant & blooms. Steve, you live in Austin, I see. Is the plant planted outdoors? If so, do the deer bother it?

I went to the Orchid greenhouse in Austin--"It's a Jungle"--the lady is wanting to see her business. Have you been there to purhase plants?

How were you able to bring your orchid from Hawaii back to Texas? I ask this as I have a friend going to Hawaii later this year.

Thanks for posting your pics.

Pedi (from Amarillo, TX)

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by pedidiva

Gorgeous plant & blooms. Steve, you live in Austin, I see. Is the plant planted outdoors? If so, do the deer bother it?

I went to the Orchid greenhouse in Austin--"It's a Jungle"--the lady is wanting to see her business. Have you been there to purhase plants?

How were you able to bring your orchid from Hawaii back to Texas? I ask this as I have a friend going to Hawaii later this year.

Thanks for posting your pics.

Pedi (from Amarillo, TX)

Hi Pedi,
I was growing this plant in Hawaii, where it actually grows wild. I pulled this one from ground! They are like weeds out there! lol I would imagine it gets too cold here to grow in the garden, but it could probably stay outside during any night that does not freeze.

I brought about 40 or so plants over from Hawaii and gave some to my local orchid society and kept a whole bunch. As for the "It's a Jungle" store, I have been there and she has a ton of good looking orchids for sale, though I don't have any more room and did not buy any from her. She is a very nice lady too.

What island is your friend going to? Are they interested in orchids?

[pedidiva]

They are going to the Big Island & perhaps Maui. He wants to buy some orchids for his wife. Last time they did this, all the orchids died after a bit at home. I told him about Orchid Board.

[isurus79]

The Big Island has some great nurseries, including Akatsuka (my favorite on the island) and Yamamoto (never been). On Maui they can visit Exotic Orchids of Maui, Tropical Orchid Farm (EOoM and TOF are some of Hawaii's best nurseries) I.N. Komoda (I've never been) and Haiku Orchids (I've never been). Try this website for other places to check out: Member Directory - Orchid Growers of Hawaii

[pedidiva]

Thanks

[fotofashion]

Here's a pic of my Phaius with 8 spikes (up from 5 last year). I have kept it in the GH all winter-too cold to be outside IMHO. My only real problem is with the leaves. They look a bit ratty with browned tips. I hope the flowers last till next week so I can show it off at the HOS meeting.
Beverly A.