Polystachya neobenthamia - Orchid Board

isurus79 · #1 07-18-2020, 12:03 AM

This one used to be called Neobenthamia gracilis. Its a really cool little African terrestrial that should be grown more often. It loooooves full sun and high temps and will get crazy tall (9-10') if its in shady conditions. Its very fragrant and I made YouTube video about it recently too (posted below photo).

Polystachya neobenthamia by Stephen Van Kampen-Lewis, on Flickr

Polystachya neobenthamia (syn. Neobenthamia gracilis) - YouTube

DirtyCoconuts · #2 07-18-2020, 12:03 PM

I agree about it being way under appreciated!

Very nice, sir!

Roberta · #3 07-18-2020, 12:44 PM

Really nice... Mine has been doing much better since I moved it outside, probably just not getting enough light in the GH. But noooo.... not another name change that whacks both the genus and species epithets..

Should be used to it by now, but.... And it looks nothing like any of my actual Polystachyas, to add to the confusion.

Afid · #4 07-18-2020, 12:47 PM

Beautiful, I can't wait to see mine bloom, I just have to find a way to get it more light somehow, preferably without exposing it to the brutal Montana dry air. I have a feeling it just isn't getting enough light where I have it right now.

DirtyCoconuts · #5 07-18-2020, 01:55 PM

Neobenthamia gracilis, it ends there HAHA

afid can you add artificial light indoors?

Afid · #6 07-18-2020, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

afid can you add artificial light indoors?

Possibly, but all my lights are currently tied up in terrariums/shining on flasks. Right now it is in a little attic area where it gets some morning sun, and decent light all day, but probably not enough...although it did burn some phals I had there last year.

isurus79 · #7 07-19-2020, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afid

Beautiful, I can't wait to see mine bloom, I just have to find a way to get it more light somehow, preferably without exposing it to the brutal Montana dry air. I have a feeling it just isn't getting enough light where I have it right now.

If you keep the roots wet, the dry air shouldn't be much of a problem.

Afid · #8 07-19-2020, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isurus79

If you keep the roots wet, the dry air shouldn't be much of a problem.

Good to know, I might just start putting it outside during the day then!

SaraJean · #9 07-22-2020, 03:49 PM

That’s a Polystachya?! Crazy.

It IS gorgeous though. I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for one

Afid · #10 07-22-2020, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaraJean

That’s a Polystachya?! Crazy.

It IS gorgeous though. I wouldn’t even know where to start looking for one

It used to be in its own genus (Neobenthamia gracilis) I was really surprised when it got moved!

I got mine from letstalkplants on ebay, they might still have some in stock. You could also try their website (thetinyjungle.com).