Grammatophylum speciosum!!! Care... - Orchid Board

gdupont · #1 09-13-2013, 11:42 PM

Luckily, having taken advantage of Andy's sale, I was able to get my hands on this spectacular plant! It was on my "bucket list" since I got in to orchids.

So, does anyone have any suggestions on care?? I'm not so sure I can ramp up the heat conditions, but I can do full sun! Also, is it potted in a terrestrial soil..? Wasnt expecting that...

Thanks!!

Kevin_PR · #2 09-14-2013, 12:22 AM

Sun and More Sun, and probably need a little more sun. Initially might have leaf burn and spotting but the new growth will be tough. Warm grower, but it night grow slower if its in cool conditions. do not overpot.

These plants get pretty big and I heard they don't flower regularly. IDK mine is not blooming size yet

Where are you growing?

gdupont · #3 09-14-2013, 12:26 AM

Haha ok. There are some brown spots on the leaves, is that what those are...? I'm growing mine in the house, I'm in MA. Does that sound good enough? Not optimal, but... What kind of humidity should it receive? I have a greenhouse with upwards of 80%, but is it more cattleya-like?

Kevin_PR · #4 09-14-2013, 12:52 AM

You could probably grow it outside until it gets below 50, then put it in the green house. But humidity is not that important. They have substantial bulbs. I think lighting is more important.

peeweelovesbooks · #5 09-14-2013, 02:36 PM

I bought one this summer. I have it outside in full sun. Eskevingo is correct, the plant will get brown tips initially but will acclimate once it gets used to its new environment. I grow mine in a 19 inch pot with egg rocks. Soil would be too moist for me, I think.

Here's a picture of mine:

gdupont · #6 09-14-2013, 02:51 PM

Was that how big it was when you got it..? What are egg rocks?

Thanks!

peeweelovesbooks · #7 09-14-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdupont

Was that how big it was when you got it..? What are egg rocks?

Thanks!

Egg rocks are those white oval-shaped (egg-shaped rocks) that one uses for landscaping. I threw in some river rock as well.

That picture was taken about 1 month after I purchased it. Umm......it's made 5 growths since then. The pace at which it grows is sort of intimidating, if you want to know the truth, and that's WITHOUT fertilizer.

Kevin_PR · #8 09-14-2013, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

I bought one this summer. I have it outside in full sun. Eskevingo is correct, the plant will get brown tips initially but will acclimate once it gets used to its new environment. I grow mine in a 19 inch pot with egg rocks. Soil would be too moist for me, I think.

Here's a picture of mine:

Great buy. I've seen this one at the Broooklyn botanical garden. HUGE!!. they grow it in a huge basket there . The growths had to be atleast 10' long. Never seen one in flower. I think the leaves grow shorter if grown in full sun. Did the person you buy it fro have it in full sun?

peeweelovesbooks · #9 09-14-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskevingo

Great buy. I've seen this one at the Broooklyn botanical garden. HUGE!!. they grow it in a huge basket there . The growths had to be atleast 10' long. Never seen one in flower. I think the leaves grow shorter if grown in full sun. Did the person you buy it fro have it in full sun?

I've seen those pictures! If only! I really don't know whether it was in fully sun previously, but I can't detect any difference sizewise in the leaves.

After reading this thread, I went to check on it AGAIN (I've been obsessing about this plant ever since I bought it) and I'm super happy to see that it's got tons of new roots with green tips. Some of them are already clinging to the rocks. Whew! looks like this one's gonna make it after all. I almost had a stroke trying to move it (it's incredibly heavy) so I have to figure something out for the winter.

Kevin_PR · #10 09-14-2013, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

I've seen those pictures! If only! I really don't know whether it was in fully sun previously, but I can't detect any difference sizewise in the leaves.

After reading this thread, I went to check on it AGAIN (I've been obsessing about this plant ever since I bought it) and I'm super happy to see that it's got tons of new roots with green tips. Some of them are already clinging to the rocks. Whew! looks like this one's gonna make it after all. I almost had a stroke trying to move it (it's incredibly heavy) so I have to figure something out for the winter.

It should be fine outdoors for the winter in Miami. Maybe change the rocks to LECA might be lighter