Habenaria radiata

[fishmom]

Here are my two pots, each with 4 tubers growing. The one on the left has been inside since the tubers were planted in February; the one on the right has been outside. The outside pot has the more sturdy plants, but the inside plants are much taller. I wonder if I will see any difference in blooms, or if the outside pot will start to catch up now that the weather is warmer?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If I'm not mistaken, you'll see blooms in fall.

[fishmom]

Last year I had blooms in August from a pot I kept inside the whole time. Maybe by having one in and one out, I will extend the bloom period; that is my hope anyway.

[No-Pro-mwa]

Only time will tell.

[ShadePlant]

I have been interested in this species for some time. How difficult is it to grow? I read that they need to be kept in bog type conditions during the growing season and then dry in the winter. Are they something you are constantly fooling with?

[fishmom]

Not really fooling with, just keeping moist. Mine sit in a saucer of water, not too deep. I water from the top and let some run through. Let the saucer dry out and repeat. My indoor plants are forming buds, the outdoor pot is behind.

After the bloom, I cut back on water and gradually let the pot dry. Then (last year) I took the tubers out of the pot and put them in a baggie with a little barely-moist moss. That went into the deli drawer of my frig. I had no rot, 9 tubers were planted this spring and 8 sprouted. I'm feeding pretty generously and hoping for bigger tubers this year; some of mine were pretty small--pea-sized.

[estación seca]

Use the Search function in the top maroon bar and search on the name of this plant for links to some sites with really good growing information.

[fishmom]

If you order tubers from Kusamono Garden they will send cultural info along with your order. Kusamono Gardens

Botany Boy is another good source:
Habenaria radiata, the egret flower of the Far East

[AnonYMouse]

Good to hear you bloomed indoors. I was worried I'd have to move mine outside where they would get neglected.

(I started later than everyone else. We'll see how they do.)

[fishmom]

My indoor pot is on a south-facing windowsill, lots of afternoon sun but through a sheer curtain when it is really bright.