Intro and bamboo orchid - Orchid Board

happylu · #1 06-21-2009, 10:51 PM

Hello! I'm Lu and I'm new here. I am the proud new owner of a bamboo orchid. (Is that really a type of orchid, or bamboo?) My mother-in-law brought it to me from her trip to Hawaii.

She also got herself one, and grandmother-in-law one, so that we can "compare notes." Being the type-A personality that I am, I interpret that as an invitation to a friendly competition. In other words, I want to wow the pants off everyone with my orchid-cultivating skillz.

The only other orchid I've raised was a phaleo-thing (another gift from MIL) that lived about two years, grew well and bloomed twice, until I left it out to get some fresh air and a cold snap got it.

Any tips?

Thanks, Lu

natasha · #2 06-22-2009, 04:55 AM

hi and welcome!

i too have a small plant of bamboo orchid. i think the actual name should be arundina graminifolia or arundina bambusifolia. or something like that

mine actually look more like grass. the flower are supposed to be cattleya like, but smaller. mine haven't flower yet. hope it will do soon

Psyched · #3 06-22-2009, 05:46 AM

Welcome to this friendly forum of orchid enthusiasts. Big warm hello from the other side of the globe.

I love the appearance of bamboo orchid. Mine already 3' tall and still growing, no flower tho.

RosieC · #4 06-22-2009, 08:38 AM

Welcome to Orchid Board Lu,

I'm afraid I can't help with the Bamboo Orchid as I've never seen one, but this is a great place where you'll get good advice about pretty much any orchid.

natasha · #5 06-23-2009, 09:50 PM

info on bamboo orchids:
Arundina graminifolia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bamboo Orchid, Arundina graminifolia | A Neotropical Savanna

Zoi2 · #6 06-23-2009, 11:02 PM

Welcome to the OB!
Joann

Royal · #7 06-23-2009, 11:22 PM

Use a more consistantly moist media like coconut husk chips or even (dare I say it) potting soil with a ton of pearlite or sand - like half and half. Soggy is no good.

Give it LOTS of light, way more than a Phal. Full sun for a few hours early in the day. These are slow to start so be patient.

natasha · #8 06-23-2009, 11:54 PM

i put some sphagnum on top of the soil (original medium) and the plant started to send out new shoots! i think this chid needs more moisture