Calanthe "Rainbow hybrid" - Orchid Board

Hedge · #1 11-25-2010, 05:42 PM

Hi, I have bought a Calanthe from Thompson and Morgan, British supplier and it is described as a "Rainbow " - there were four colour combinations in the photos and I won't know what I've got until it flowers next year.

I have been supplied with a shooting rhisome attached to a lot of roots. As we are promised another very cold winter, I have potted it up in a compost mixture of ericaceous( peaty) compost with extra trace frit and grit and leca in a pot placed in a cool green house until next spring.

Should I water it very often over the winter, or keep it dryish, like my Pleione?

Does anyone recognise the variety in the photograph?
Rainbow Hardy Orchids - Thompson & Morgan

Hedge · #2 12-01-2010, 06:52 PM

Does any one know anything about these, please?

Bayard · #3 12-01-2010, 07:38 PM

Hi Hedge - They are Japanese Calanthe hybrids. Try looking them up on the Web.

camille1585 · #4 12-02-2010, 05:52 AM

I've never heard of these, but I'd love to buy some, the blooms are gorgeous!

Wonder if they ship to mainland Europe?

I would think that you would treat it like other terrestrial orchids, in that you should keep it on the dryish side over the winter, but not bone dry. I've been googling, but without having a exact name it's hard to find info.

Hedge · #5 12-02-2010, 08:29 AM

You could try ordering from the website, Camille, but while this weather persists,I don't know when you could expect delivery! UK has ground to a halt under this blanket of snow.

Bayard, thanks for the clues, I shall look !

camille1585 · #6 12-02-2010, 08:35 AM

I wouldn't order now anyways!! Too much snow everywhere. Maybe in the spring.

Hedge · #7 12-02-2010, 05:47 PM

Well, I ordered back in June, but they only supply dormant stock, so it only arrived about ten days ago. I have potted it in a light gritty compost with some LECA balls for drainage and some ericaceous compost added in for extra humus. And then i put it in my now very cool greenhouse!!!! so who knows what will happen? At £13 a go they're not exactly cheap for what looks like a single spike on a Cym with a lot of roots..... I'll keep my fingers crossed>

camille1585 · #8 12-03-2010, 05:27 AM

I really hope it grows for you, because the blooms are going to be gorgeous! I assume that over the years the plants will start producing more than one spike. Otherwise you would need to buy quite a few if you really want them to put on a show!

Looks like I need to find a more local source for them, they aren't listed on their international site, probably because they're plants and not seeds (so shipping restrictions) Too bad that they don't have an EU page.