Thunia Bensoniae

[s1214215]

Hi

I just got three plants of this species from a market outside Bangkok. I have pollinated it and will try stem culture in flask.

I hear it likes it a little cooler than Thunia Marshalliana, though grows much the same. Any comments on culture are welcome.

Brett

Just opening


Fully open

[pheli]

Really pretty.
I like thunias and used to have several plants.
It likes remarkable day-night temperature difference which is important for them to bloom.
Thunia can be grown like some terrestrial orchids, such as Arundina or Neobenthamia. The only diffenence is that thunia drops all its leaves in late autumn and then enter its winter rest phase. During the rest, it should be keep dry to aviod rotting.

[s1214215]

Thanks Pheli

I have seen T. Marshalliana growing in full sun in the mountians of Burma. So, seasonal light and a cold set certainly are needed. I have no idea why they bring these plants to Bangkok. I have mine in the cool wardian case at 23c. I really want to propagate this species as I have never seen it in Australia and want to take it back.

Brett

[pheli]

Brett
Though thunias are from highlands, they do grow well in subtropical or even temperate areas.
As I mentioned, they like low night temperature to bloom well. So they seem to bloom well in temperate areas rather than subtropical or even tropical lowlands.

[s1214215]

Hi Pheli

I agree, Thunia can grow in the sub-tropics. I have seen them doing a lot better in temperate ereas with a cooler winter and have seen them not doing that well in the tropical lowlands. Still, if it can be done, why not.

My experience has been with T. Alba and T. Marshalliana and not T Bensoniae. I was wondering if there was much difference or is this species the same.

Thanks for the advice.

Brett.

[kinknstein]

No help on culture tips for her, but she is a beauty!!

[Vina]

Hi, does anyone can advice what to do if my Thunia Marshaliana doesn't go to sleep? not even a sign of leaves drop..

[s1214215]

Hi

I just harvested the two pods on my Thunia bensoniae. At 10 months they are still damn hard and mostly green. A week ago they began to yellow at the end. Today I noticed a small split in the end of one, but the pods was intact still.

I will sow some, and when the airmail is ok to Europe I will send some seed to the Terrestrial Orchid Forum seed bank - Terrorchid - Terrestrial Orchid Forum, Gallery & Wiki - Dedicated to the culture and care of terrestrial Orchids Probably in a week.

Brett

[s1214215]

Some pics

[s1214215]

A pic in the wild. I forget who sent me the pic. Taken in the north of Thailand. It grows both as a terrestrial and an epiphyt. It does not really attach to wood or such with the roots as say a vanda or Dend, but roots become embedded in the moss and enable it to cling.

Brett