Question about Ania hookeriana care

[ozzzzzz]

I've ordered an Ania hookeriana plant from a vendor who will be at my society's upcoming show. My only terrestrial orchid thus far is a Phaius so I'm quite excited to receive it. Unfortunately, however, there is strikingly little information about the genus online. My old Hawkes encyclopedia says that it's not really cultivated but then goes on to spell out a very specific mix of different media for potting it (equal parts fibrous loam, leaf-mould, sharp white sand, chopped tree-fern fibre, and chopped sphagnum moss), so I'm not really sure what to think. I also have no idea where to get fibrous loam, leaf-mould, sharp white sand, or chopped tree-fern fibre.

Anyone have any experience with this genus? Any care tips?

Thanks!

[wintergirl]

I don't grow this but welcome to OrchidBoard Hopefully someone else will know.

[estación seca]

Welcome!

Complicated potting medium recipes are only very rarely needed for any kind of plant. I would ask the vendor for detailed information on how to grow it, and I would keep asking until I understood.

The words used in the description you wrote sound like some recipes from over 50 years ago, and generally we can't get the materials they used then. But what we have now is often much better for the plants.

[PaphMadMan]

It looks like Tainia penangiana is the preferred name now. I don't know if that will help locate more information for you.

I haven't grown it but I can tell you what OrchidWiz says based on native climate data. Temperature pretty constant year round, 18C nights - 28C days. Light 1500-2500 fc, so brighter than Phals, not as bright as Catts. Even moisture year round, reduce a bit in winter if light isn't as bright. Humidity 75% + preferred, 60% + acceptable in winter. Pretty typical middle-of-the-road indoor orchid conditions.

Overall it is sounding like basic Paph culture to me.

If you can't easily get a mix intended for potted indoor culture of terrestrial orchids like Phaius, add some African Violet potting mix to a medium/fine orchid bark mix and you will have a reasonable approximation. Just make sure it stays well drained.

Make sure to post pictures. I'm sure almost none of us have seen this species.

[ozzzzzz]

Originally Posted by estación seca

The words used in the description you wrote sound like some recipes from over 50 years ago, and generally we can't get the materials they used then. But what we have now is often much better for the plants.

That's exactly the case - it was taken from my Hawkes encyclopaedia, which is from 1965! I'm sure I can pull together something suitable without a ready supply of sharp white sand, haha

---------- Post added at 01:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:25 PM ----------

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

It looks like Tainia penangiana is the preferred name now. I don't know if that will help locate more information for you.

That is very helpful, thank you! I was able to find a bit more about it with that name. It seems to be slightly more popular in cultivation in Asia, which makes sense because the grower I've ordered it from is Taiwanese.

I'll be sure to post photos when I receive it - thank you again for the info!