Spathoglottis 'Grapette'

[Junebug]

A few weeks ago, as I was shopping Walmart for bread and dogfood , I happened upon some beautiful pot bound Spathoglottis. This variety is called Grapette and it is supposed to smell like grapes. I now have 4 divisions...3 smaller ones and 1 large one. I've planted 3 into the ground and one in a pot.

It has clusters of tiny vivid purple blooms that arise on long spikes. My larger division has sent up 2 new spikes since being transplanted. The part about smelling like grapes....well...sometimes, if I squint my eyes real tight, think of grapes, and inhale deeply, I can sense the distinct odor of concord grapes.

[tuvoc]

Grapeilicious! Bring out the bread and pb!

Kim

[Chubidubi]

I love this tiny flower. Spathoglottis are awesome to have.

[mlw]

Hi all, this seemed like a good place to post this. I acquired 2 spathoglottis orchids from Home Depot--one was the grapette, the other a really lovely large yellow bloom. No more info on my end. The squirrels nibbled the buds and broke the spikes after I brought them home before they got planted, but I planted them in the ground where they get spotty shade most of the day, some direct sun off and on through ferns & pines. The grappette sent up a new spike almost immediately. The yellow one just spiked a week ago--I was surprised and excited. Then I noticed ants on the bud--but figured it wasn't a big deal--they like to lick off the juices. Then the bud looked a bit nibbled on the top; then it turned yellow and now it's black and dead and the whole spike is yellowing.

We've had some heavy afternoon rains. When we don't get those, they get watered in the mornings usually (by hose, sorry, it's easy).

Does anyone know what the problem is? Most of the leaves look ok & both are spreading. I don't really want to dig them up and keep them in pots, but I don't want them to die either. I'm in SW florida--and the soil is dirty beach sand and pine needles.
I've posted images in the gallery--not sure if they link.

Thanks,
Miriam

[prem]

As an aside, "Grapette" is actually the species S. unguiculata.

---Prem

[thakshila smith]

Miriam,
Those plants need very rich soil.Try to collect some rich soil from else where and plant it in a pot. I got a plant in a pot but never get bloomed .I fertilizer it well and now in blooms.
Ants do not allow them .they are in bloom each day.

[thakshila smith]

Junebug , dear you got a healthy plant. Here in Sri Lanka it very common and very popular .people grow them by hundreds and get thousands of flowers.

I love them.
There for try to grow as many as you can . Easy to grow. Need only a hand ful of fert.

[JennS]

I don't kow if the ants could eat the buds, but I frequently notice ants on all sorts of my flowering plants. I have a ginger they are very fond of, but never seem to harm it. they also like most of my orchids but just hang out on the tip, or so it seems. IF anyone else knows more about this, please post!

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by JennS

I don't kow if the ants could eat the buds, but I frequently notice ants on all sorts of my flowering plants. I have a ginger they are very fond of, but never seem to harm it. they also like most of my orchids but just hang out on the tip, or so it seems. IF anyone else knows more about this, please post!

Hey Jen,

Those ants can be pesky little beasts. My solution is to sprinkle a little 5% Sevin dust on the top of the ground surrounding the plant or on top of the potting media. I let it sit in it's dry form for 1/2 day and then water the plant so it works its way down in and around the roots. This method has worked very well. I usually do a treatment on all the Chids between Sept. and October. This end of season treatment reduces the chance of bringing ant infested plants in the house when the temps get too low.

[CoolPhrog]

I have the yellow ones...really pretty plant, Junebug