What am I doing wrong? Orchid is dying

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

It's likely that it's been getting too much water, causing the roots to rot and the plant to become dehydrated.

Do you know the name of this? What type of potting media/mix is it in?

+1. Plus, it appears to be potted in potting soil. Even orchids which, in nature, grow in the ground, and so, are called terrestrials, do not wanna be potted in potting soil.

Are we sure this is an orchid? Was it repotted after it was bought?

[Hiester]

Originally Posted by JMNYC

+1. Plus, it appears to be potted in potting soil. Even orchids which, in nature, grow in the ground, and so, are called terrestrials, do not wanna be potted in potting soil.

Are we sure this is an orchid? Was it repotted after it was bought?

No, it's not an orchid. It's in the family with yams (Dioscorea).

I ordered some seeds, but most reports say they are long time to germinate. I might have to try some different methods. One person reported scarification of seeds helped them to sprout quickly, so I'll experiment.

I just like the flowers on the T. chantrieri, so want to see if I can grow it.

[lauraeli]

I have a batflower guys :-) tacca integrifolia. It is still a baby but it is doing alright.

[La Casa de las Orquideas]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Its a Tacca, aka bat flower. Can't help with care, sorry.

Hi,

We have an article about this fascinating plant: "The “Bat Orchid”, that is NOT an orchid"

Hope it helps!!

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by La Casa de las Orquideas

Hi,

We have an article about this fascinating plant: "The “Bat Orchid”, that is NOT an orchid"

Hope it helps!!

OMG!!!!! Look at that spectacular flower!! The natural world just gives me goosebumps every day!!!!!

Bless you for that incredible image!!!!!

[Hiester]

Originally Posted by JMNYC

OMG!!!!! Look at that spectacular flower!! The natural world just gives me goosebumps every day!!!!!

Bless you for that incredible image!!!!!

Now you see why I want to try to grow this plant. I think it would sell well around Halloween... *grin*

Most everything I've read indicates it would like some bark in it's potting media.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Hiester

Now you see why I want to try to grow this plant. I think it would sell well around Halloween... *grin*

Forget Halloween....would sell all year! I WANT ONE.

We are not permitted pets in my building, but those amazing 'whiskers' might just suffice! Only part I am not crazy about: it goes into dormancy and appears to be dying as part of its natural cycle.

Plus, while I find ways of making more room.....even for me, that's finite.

But, I still want one.

[Bulbofett]

You guys can buy these plants pretty much anywhere in zones 10+. When I visited my friend in Florida they sold the black bat flowers at Lowe's.

Online you can purchase them. Logee's sells them White Bat Flower (Tacca integrifolia)

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

You guys can buy these plants pretty much anywhere in zones 10+. When I visited my friend in Florida they sold the black bat flowers at Lowe's.

Online you can purchase them. Logee's sells them White Bat Flower (Tacca integrifolia)

Thank you for enabling! And low light!!!!!

[Hiester]

Originally Posted by Bulbofett

You guys can buy these plants pretty much anywhere in zones 10+. When I visited my friend in Florida they sold the black bat flowers at Lowe's.

Online you can purchase them. Logee's sells them White Bat Flower (Tacca integrifolia)

Thanks. I'll check it out. I am specifically looking for T. chantrieri instead of integrifolia, since chantrieri is suppose to be less than half the size of integrifolia and blooms on much shorter inflorescences. Four feet tall is a bit much for my situation.