Phaius Tankerville

[Royal]

Nice growing! You CAN take credit for saving those plants from the fate of the compactor!

I LOVE Bletilla! Mine is in full bloom too.

[InspirChid1712]

That price is amazingly low!!! I just got home from a cello audition in Pittsburgh, and while I was there I passed a flower shop with a Phaius in the window... I stopped to ask the price and he told me $99.99!!!! They also had average Phals for $79 and a Maudiae Paph for $85! I mean, COME ON, that is WAY too much to pay for a plant that isn't at all uncommon! Considering that my $2.50 clearance orchids have bloomed just as much as the plants in the shop, its a wonder to me how they think they can ask that price! I will be certainly getting a Phaius whenever I can afford an inexpensive plant... they are SO COOL and would look delightfuly splendid on any shaded porch!

[TikiGeorge]

Originally Posted by shakkai

What a great plant! (and at a great price!) Very, very nice!

PS. It looks like your Bletilla are in the ground - are they planted out permanently? Do you do anything special for them?

Yes, here in coastal South Carolina we are zone 8 and Bletilla is as "set it and forget" as daffodils. The only concern is they tend to bloom before last frost, so I always keep pinestraw ready as an emergency mulch. Works great for me.

[TikiGeorge]

Originally Posted by cb977

Looks great, George

Although Phaius tankervilleae is said to do well in varied degrees of light, I have found partial shade do work best with mine. It gets very slight filtered morning sun and then very filtered afternoon light but for most of the day, it's in the shade of the covered area on the lanai

Thanks for the comments AND culture suggestion. Trust me, I'll follow any tips you have in order for mine to look like yours!!!!!!!!

[peeweelovesbooks]

Hi,

How often should you water them?