Dendrophylax fawcettii (how it survives in my environment)

[Bud]

Denphx. fawcettii is endemic to the Caribbean Sea, with the genus comprising about 17 species. But this particular plant is now on the endangered list in the Cayman Islands. The report notes that the ghost orchid (Dendrophylax fawcettii) is found in this last "remaining fragment of old-growth forest" on Grand Cayman and is surrounded by urban development. The forest extends just 46 acres and the orchids are confined to an area of only six of those acres. At least they are wise to conserve than construct more beach resorts. Orchid | caymannature
This orchid is endemic to three Greater Antillean islands - Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the United States in south Florida.
The plant consists of a greatly reduced stem and the leaves have been reduced to scales, the roots are used for moisture absorption and their chloroplasts for photosynthesis. The outer layer, the velamen, takes care of acquiring the nutrients and the water uptake. It also protects the inner layers. The longest root of my plant is 14 inches (growing upwards).
I give this a culture of moderate light, warm temperatures with high humidity. I inherited this blooming sized plant a couple of years ago from Peter Lin of CA in a plastic hanging basket of moss; after it got used to my environment I mounted this on a large thick hickory bark that I got online. I water regularly during growing season in summer and reduce watering during the winter to every 3 days with no fertilizer starting December 15 to Valentine’s Day. In winter this is provided with an electric humidifier with an oscillating fan. I read that this bring forth fragrant flowers late spring. Notice on my close-up picture that I was able to let this spike but it blasted when we had the early heat wave in Manhattan. The old roots have shriveled but its still alive and turns deep green when watered; the thick robust new ones got so used to my environment that it is thriving well and happy.
This plant tends to keiki and can be twisted off its mother if it reaches roots of about 5 inches then it can live on its own.









* I do not like to post threads without blooms, but some members want to know my culture for this orchid.