"Spiranthes cernua" or NOID terrestrial?
 

I purchased this plant as Spiranthes cernua in September of 2021. I've been keeping it indoors and it hasn't done much. I purchased another Spiranthes cernua from the same vendor in August of this year. Its leaves are more grass-like and is currently blooming for me. Is this plant a Spiranthes that just never broke dormancy or is it something else?

Flickr

EDIT: I can't type dates :duh:
EDIT: Changed threat title for clarity

Spiranthes cernua is not really suitable for indoor culture unless you can provide a cold dormancy such as a refrigerator or maybe an unheated basement/garage. I notice you're in zone 8, so I doubt you would have a problem keeping them outside in containers year round. They really belong in the ground in a suitably wet setting. That's the best advice I can give you.

Spiranthes "cernua" is a complex of of several species. If you could post good closeup pics of the flowers I might get be able to give you an ID on the blooming plant. From the description and the bloom time I would guess it's S. arcisepala or incurva.

Hello Folks:
the photo I saw int he link is not Spiranthes cernua. (so sorry, Peloric, you likely did not receive the plant you paid for)

Please see the link: IOSPE PHOTOS
or
Spiranthes cernua
(nodding ladies'''-tresses):
Go Botany
Speaking from observing them in nature near me -
Spiranthes cernua, and it's cousins, are really not suited to living indoors. They are native to colder parts of the Northern hemisphere, and need to have the winter dormancy. They grow in moist meadow or semi-boggy situations, on the sides of ponds or streams, have grass like leaves (when not in bloom you will probably not notice them amongst other surrounding plants. They like full sun if at all possible.
If you can provide an outdoor damp meadow situation they would likely do much better than in a pot. Their bloom time is not very long, only a couple of weeks if lucky. Also of note, some of the Spiranthes species are being reexamined by the professional, and some are being split off into other species or sub species.

Best of luck to all of you,
Maryanne

You might have a different kind of terrestrial orchid. I would contact the seller and try to figure out what you have. If it needs a cold winter and you don't provide that it will probably not survive to springtime. Some summer growing terrestrial orchids need a dry winter, and others need to stay a little moist. So it is important to find out.

First, I made a mistake in my first post. The NOID terrestrial (Spiranthes #1) is from September 2021 (last year) and lived a winter-less winter in my apartment. I do have a Spiranthes (#2) from the same vendor that I believe is a Spiranthes that I purchased in August 2022 (this year).

Second, the tag says "Spiranthes cernua (odorata)". Interpret that how you will haha.

Third, here are the photos of the blooming Spiranthes #2.

Spiranthes #2 closeup 1
Spiranthes #2 closeup 2
Spiranthes #2 closeup 3

I'll be the first to admit that the taxonomy of Spiranthes is beyond me. I know there are some that are native to Florida, and I have so far had good luck keeping Florida terrestrial orchids alive under lights. My plan is to repot Spiranthes #2 into sphagnum after it finishes blooming and to keep doing what I've been doing with Spiranthes #1.

I think you're probably right that I have some other terrestrial. Spiranthes #1 lived a full year indoors without suffering. I'm not inclined to pop Spiranthes #1 in the fridge at this time, but may yet do so with Spiranthes #2 after it finishes blooming.

EDIT: I can't grammar and I had some technical difficulties adding links to my photos, so business as usual

Good morning Peloric:
I agree, the Spiranthes #2 links look like S. cernua.
The Spiranthes (?) with wide leaves is not familiar.

Here's another link to hunt around for photos - perhaps you can find something that resembles the mystery plant.
North American Orchid Conservation Center

Wishing you the best of luck identifying and growing all your plant(s).
Cheers,
Maryanne

#2 is S. odorata. One year without dormancy isn't going to have a major effect upon most plants that need one, but after that things start going downhill. Florida dormancy is definitely different than dormancy here in PA, but the principle is the same. Keep the plant as cool as possible, but the most important factor is the photoperiod. For winter the plant should get about 10 hours of light if it's grown indoors.

Thanks for the tips. Were you able to key it out or did you do a vibe check?

Vibe check.