S/O Large Orchids Grammatophyllum Speciosum . . .
 

Hi everyone. I just bought this orchid!!! What have I gotten myself into? :scratchhead:

Culture information? How big do they really grow? I bought one in a 3 inch pot. :) Can't wait to get it.

Thanks for the information. :drool:

I don't grow this species but according to Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia this species grows warm to hot in full sun some are fragrant others aren't and they can double their size in 1 year with proper watering and fertilizing. Culture requirements, someone else with more experience will have to chime in. :goodluck:

I grow mine in full Hawaiian sun all day long. All the growers here on the island who have these plants do the same. They love it! Well draining medium and plenty of water when in growth. They do get big! Very big! Also, I repotted mine when I got it 2 years or so ago and it grew just fine but did not flower until now (Ill post pics in a few weeks), so they might be a bit touchy when disturbed.

How big can it grow?

Check out the photo here:
http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/pub...osumAS_SBG.jpg

Hello there. When you say well draining mix, what mix do you use? Thanks for the information. :)

Ray, that IS BIG.........oopsie. :) Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, my front yard will never look the same. :)

Err.... I just realized that this thread was about speciosum and not scriptum. My bad. :blushing: I dont grow this one, but I have seen several of the growers here that do and the growing conditions are exactly the same. Lots of sun, lots of water during growth and well draining medium (large bark when young and probably lava rock or decorative bark often used on the ground in gardens when larger). I should tell you that the ones I have seen in bloom are not grown in pots. Theyre usually grown in VERY large baskets (probably made specially) that are measured in feet rather than inches!!

Thanks for the information. What is decorative bark, though? I've never heard of that. :)

Over here they grow Gramm.speciosum in an old tyre with coconut & charcoal. They are given very good light, plenty of water when growing. I have seen some about 3 metres tall & the flower spike will get to nearly the same. I was lucky enough to have seen one growing in Sth'n Thailand on rock with grass & shrubs growing with it. You may want to talk to growers in Florida to see if they grow it outdoors. If they cant you may need to buy another glasshouse just for it LOL ( although you may need a glasshouse as they will fill the old tyre with P/bulbs & the roots become fibrous like other Grammatophyllums & Ansellias )

:hmm How to explain this. I wish I knew the actual name for this stuff! Its the large bark chunks (palm size) that you see as ground cover sometimes. People put it in their gardens instead of plants sometimes........I hope I explained that well. If not, let me know and Ill dig around the internet for some examples.

I think "decorative bark" refers to chunks of bark from Radiata pine & is used as a mulch on gardens etc. A lot of growers in Australia ( & probably the Nthn Hemisphere ) use various sizes of Radiata pine for their orchids ranging from seedlings to Vandas etc. Some people may also refer to "decorative" bark as chunks from other species of tree's including Eucalyptus which is put through a "buzzer" or shreder.