Source for Cynorkis

[zdufran]

Maybe this is not the best place to post this on the forum, but I am wondering if anyone knows of a source where I can purchase Cynorkis uncinata (syn. Cynorkis calanthoides). Anyone have ideas?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Nope.

Cynorkis is not very popular in the US. It might be because not a lot of people tend to grow orchids that are allied to Habenaria very well.

Although, if you're looking for other species, Andy's Orchids does have Cynorkis fastigiata for a reasonable price.

Are there any other species of Cynorkis you're looking for, or is it just Cynorkis uncinata?

[zdufran]

I saw a Cynorkis uncinata at an orchid show this weekend and it was beautiful. My mother-in-law really liked it so I was going to pick one up for her for Mother's Day. It would not have to be that specific species, but the attribute she really liked was the way that the leaf curls down inside it self - like a Calla Lilly bloom spathe. Are there other species that look like this?
(For what it's worth: the plant we saw was originally purchased from Oak Hill Gardens, but I have contacted them and they change their plants all the time and no longer offer this orchid or any other Cynorkis right now.)

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by zdufran

It would not have to be that specific species, but the attribute she really liked was the way that the leaf curls down inside it self - like a Calla Lilly bloom spathe. Are there other species that look like this?

Do you mean like this?

http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/fea...abilis1280.jpg

Originally Posted by zdufran

(For what it's worth: the plant we saw was originally purchased from Oak Hill Gardens, but I have contacted them and they change their plants all the time and no longer offer this orchid or any other Cynorkis right now.)

I've only known of Oak Hill Gardens since around 2003 or 2004, and they haven't offered any species of Cynorkis from that period up till now.

Andy's Orchids had Cynorkis gibbosa, but I believe it was rather pricey ($100 if I'm not mistaken).

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The link contains the photo of a hardy terrestrial orchid native to the east coast of the United States.

It is called Galearis spectabilis.

It is occasionally offered for sale here in the US. Actually, it is sold here in the US more frequently than any Cynorkis species that I know of.

[zdufran]

Thanks for the help, Philip. That's not really what I'm looking for. I have a pretty good photo at home and will upload it this afternoon, so someone might be able to make a suggestion. Thanks again.

[zdufran]

Forgot I actually had the pictures saved in my email. Here they are:



The second picture shows how the leaf spirals down. I know it's a funny request, but this is what I'm looking for.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Wow...

You sure picked a difficult species to find.

The leaf trait is also not an easy one to find as well.

Basically speaking, I do know a few terrestrial orchids that have the leaf morphology you're talking about. But the problem is whether people still carry those species for sale and/or whether you or your mother-in-law will like the flowers.

One of the species of orchids that I have seen offered for sale on rare occasions is Liparis cordifolia.

http://www.oakhillgardens.com/images...a-(miniatu.jpg

Ironically, this species I have seen Oak Hill Gardens carry for a very long time, but not in the past few years.

There was also an undescribed species of Liparis that Andy's Orchids carried that had that same leaf morphology, but the flowers were a deep purple (wine colored).

There's also Liparis maingayi:

http://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/...93d85826e8.jpg

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You can try asking Andy's Orchids for Cynorkis uncinata...

If he has one, he may charge quite a hefty price for it.

[goodgollymissmolly]

Contact Barry Jones in Cincinnati at orkidj@zoomtown.com. I got one from him 2 years ago and I think he still has them. Mine had 5 inflorescences this year. It was great! I assume you know that they go dormant in winter and should not be moist while dormant.