Phaiocalanthe Kryptonite x Calanthe vestita- how to grow?

[DirtyCoconuts]

I was at a nursery the other day and they had a few trays of cyms (golden elf) and I was looking for a nice one to add to the front yard and I spotted a spike, grabbed it and paid

Got to the house and opened the trunk and said, those aren’t cym leaves, what the hell did I buy???

Low and behold

Phaiocalanthe Kryptonite x Calanthe vestita says the tag and I am split. Do I pot it like a gramm or like a stan? And if it is really in the Catt tribe, should it get more or less light than a grammatophylum ?


Thanks in advance!

[Roberta]

Not in the Catt tribe at all, not even close... Calanthe and Phaius are both terrestrials. So pot it in something that will stay damp. Like maybe cactus mix with some sand. Never dry it out. Phaiocalanthe is brilliant red. The cross is Phaiocalanthe Red Dragon, so probably a clue as to its color. I think you did very well on this one! I am guessing, drop-dead gorgeous. Shall I move this to Miscellaneous?

[DirtyCoconuts]

Please! I went off Wikipedia (always a risk) and it said epidendrae so I guessed lol


Awesome! I will pot her in a nice sand/rock/peat/leca/charcoal concoction and place her next to my phais tankerville?

---------- Post added at 10:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:47 PM ----------

Btw…for anyone who is also looking for a cheap way to keep a plant “always moist”…dollar tree oil change pans!!! They are like 2 gal capacity and wide and they can take a beating and still be replaced often at the price point!

They last forever indoors as a saucer. Outside in florida, two years max

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Please! I went off Wikipedia (always a risk) and it said epidendrae so I guessed lol


Awesome! I will pot her in a nice sand/rock/peat/leca/charcoal concoction and place her next to my phais tankerville?

Confusion is easy... according to IOSPE, it's SUBFAMILY Epidendroideae, TRIBE Collabieae, SUBTRIBE Collabiinae

The vast majority of orchids are in that subfamily so it doesn't tell much...
It should grow the same as your Phaius tankervilleae (which is actually one of the parents of Kryptonite)

[DirtyCoconuts]

You are the very best, Roberta, a true treasure!

Thanks!

[Roberta]

Aww, just an orchid nerd.

[estación seca]

I've seen this kind of orchid sold at Florida Home Depots in the landscaping section in 5 gallon pots. I think you're just supposed to plant them in sandy soil in partial shade and stand back.

[Fairorchids]

Phaius tankervilleae is well known as a landscaping plant in FL. Not sure whether it takes full sun, or need light shade.

The true Calanthe parents are different. With their soft foliage, they should have light no stronger than what you would give to a Cattleya. They have a long rest period immediately after blooming (2-4 months), and then need to grow next years growth relatively quickly, so they need a lot of nutrients during the growth cycle (I use a mix, which is 1/3 composted cow manure). In late fall the leaves start to turn brown, and flower stalks emerge from the base of the bulb.

Now, it is my experience that Phaiocalanthe Kryptonite requires no rest period. It starts new growth almost immediately after the flowers are done.

Crossed back to Calanthe vestita (I have a few of these), I find that these plants (now 75% Calanthe) still require no rest.

My last shipment from HI came in with the plants potted in pure spaghnum (to satisfy the constant moisture requirement). Since then, I have had some in the terrestrial mix, and others in spaghnum.

[DirtyCoconuts]

terrific insight!!! thanks!

i have it in a sand, perlite, sphag and charcoal mix now....sitting in a saucer always with water.


same as the Phais and two monster (its areally big saucer )

[Ray]

If you want to see Phaius tankervilleae, take a trip to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales FL.

Granted, a lot can change in the time since I've been there (~30-40 years), but they had huge beds of them all over the place, growing in dappled shade under big trees.