Calanthe rubens Ridl. - Orchid Board

Rosim_in_BR · #1 05-20-2009, 07:11 PM

Also known as Calanthe elmeri, this deciduous Asian orchid has a very interesting characteristic in the strangled pseudo bulbs. I fell for this pure white variation with only a vivid red in the throat!

camille1585 · #2 05-20-2009, 07:30 PM

Lovely blooms, and the lip has a really nice shape. It looks like a little white bird! Do you have a pic of the strangled bulbs? I'm curious.

Rosim_in_BR · #3 05-20-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Lovely blooms, and the lip has a really nice shape. It looks like a little white bird! Do you have a pic of the strangled bulbs? I'm curious.

Yes, Camille, I'm posting a photo below. As you can see, if you are not careful, the top can easily be broken off!!

Tropic · #4 06-04-2009, 10:17 PM

Great Photos Rosim... these 'strangled' looking bulbs are actually one of the methods this Calanthe uses for propagation. When the leaves sort of dry off.... even a strong wind will snap the bulbs and carry them off to other areas. I usually just snap the bulbs myself and plant them in dry sand to await their new shoots. This has given me lots of plants. The Calanthes are one of my favorite orchids.

RosieC · #5 06-05-2009, 05:28 AM

Great flowers, and really interesting to see those strangled bulbs.

LauraN · #6 06-05-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tropic

Great Photos Rosim... these 'strangled' looking bulbs are actually one of the methods this Calanthe uses for propagation. When the leaves sort of dry off.... even a strong wind will snap the bulbs and carry them off to other areas. I usually just snap the bulbs myself and plant them in dry sand to await their new shoots. This has given me lots of plants. The Calanthes are one of my favorite orchids.

Good to know! One of mine snapped off and I wasn't sure what to do with it...
I love the unusual shape of the calanthe's and your is gorgeous Mauro!

Rosim_in_BR · #7 06-05-2009, 08:08 AM

Good to know that. I'll try with mine here!

SP2340 · #8 06-05-2009, 09:48 AM

Wow, very interesting plant, and beautiful flowers!!

Tropic · #9 06-05-2009, 10:39 AM

Mauro... just place the bulb piece on some dry river sand and leave in shade. Do not water. In a while you will probably see a small delicate shoot developing. Remove bulb off the dry sand and plant this in a new pot with Calanthe growing medium when the roots are about 3 cm long. Only start watering when the shoot and roots show more development and keep it damp from then on. Give it a diluted balanced fertilizer or mix in a tsp. of time release Nutricote 13-13-13 / pot to guarantee lots of regular food.
Your photograph of the 'strangled' Calanthe rubens bulbs show the possibility of making at least 8 new healthy plants, or more ...

nenella · #10 06-05-2009, 12:09 PM

Very Beautiful flower Mauro Thanks for posting the photos. It's become a very interesting post to read as well... Learn something new everyday