Repoting a Swamp Orchid

[Toshi1040]

Hello,
I recently move to Australia and I got this beautiful swamp orchid in a Orchid show a month ago.
I attach some pics when it was starting to flowering but now it is almost finished.
Once it is a quite big plant I was wonder if it could be devided and have it in small pots.
If some one could help me with some information on how and when is the best to do it?
Thank you and Regards,
Toshi!

[Silje]

Welcome to OrchidBoard!

When I read this heading I was thinking: "What the heck is a swamp orchid?!"

Now I know. It's a Phaius tankervilleae. Cool!

I think they look stunning!

I only have seeds of this one that is going into a flask whenever I get a free moment to do the fiddling, and I've no experience with the care and the division of phaius, but this is a 'fairly' common orchid and I'm sure lots of members will be able to help you out.

Otherwise, google phaius tankervilleae and see what you find regarding divisions.

[Toshi1040]

Thank you so much I will google it.
But always happy to receive more info about it here.
Cheers!
Toshi

[Silje]

You have come to the right place! So many of my orchids are still alive because of the people on this forum.

And I just realized that there are both lesser (australis) and larger (tankervilleae) swamp orchids and I've got no idea which one you've got.

I will say this though...pot size looks good and it looks like it still got room to grow in that one so I'd keep it as it is and I would not divide it at this stage.

[Bloomin_Aussie]

Well you could divide it but it is only just big enough to do so. I'd wait... what you can do instead is create new plantlets from the flower stems. Simply cut them off when the flowers finally drop and lay them in a tray of damp sand. Cover with clear plastic to keep the humidity up and you'll end up with a bunch of little plants growing from the nodes on the stem in a couple of months. Easy.

[Toshi1040]

Thank you Silje and Dan.

Hi Dan, I will try to create new planters, but can I cut the stem in half? I just don't have on planter that would fit it, they are more then a meter long, or should I purchase a planter that would fit it?

[Silje]

You can cut the stem. You just want to make sure you have an active node on each piece and I'd suggest as much space on each side of that node as possible in case you need to cut away some more because of rot.

[Toshi1040]

Thank you Silje.
I will do it as soon as the flowers is gone.
Cheers!!!

[brn_thmbs]

Nice form on the plant, mine leans. I've been growing a Phaius for about a year (my first growing orchids no less) which it managed to survive. It's now maturing two new growths & has a 3rd just starting (in New England fall? go figure...) I can't really give much advice b/c I honestly don't know if I'm doing everything as well as I should/could, but I was interested to jump into the thread not knowing what to expect from 'swamp orchid' & voila. I was expecting like some leafless, extravagant orchid. This one I get (& I got) & love how not fussy it is & can't wait to rebloom it this year :-)
Maybe I should grow it a bit more moist :what:.
Yours looks great, can't wait till all those buds open! Be sure to share

[Bud]

Dan is right, this kind of orchid produces keikis by cutting the spike after all the flowers are gone and then plant it in moist sand. The media mix is similar to jewel orchids where you add a handful of potting soil to small bark and sponge rock mix....
it is hot to warm temps but shaded bright light, you wait til it dries out before watering....you need not repot yet for your pot is big for the plant you have in it....cut some of the damaged leaf areas and just leave the healthy areas to produce food for the plant....dab the cut wounds with powdered cinnamon added with a bit of water to create a paste.