Grammatophylum scriptum 'Leopard' - Orchid Board

Leisesturm · #1 06-08-2022, 06:32 PM

I was really torn where to put this Gram. scriptum 'Leopard'. Arrived yesterday morning. Carmela Orchids had the best price for one and they said it was in spike. And it was a 'large' plant in a 6" pot. I know what a 'large' orchid in a 6" pot looks like. WRONG! I clearly did not.

Look at this thing! OMG it has got to be 10lb - 12lb. and it's not just in spike, it's in bloom! It has an entire head of a dual head LED light all to itself.

If you ever wanted one of these for under $50 and blooming size, well now is your chance. I looked on the vendor forum and saw no recent Carmela Orchids testimonials. Most forums hate cross-posting so I will maybe do a separate eval for them in the appropriate space. Just know for now that Carmela Orchids has quite a few interesting species and hybrids for 50% of what I've seen elsewhere and the plants are as healthy and robust as one could ask for.

Another vendor offering this plant insisted on shipping it by itself for it's safety due to its size and weight. I was able to get two other plants (could have been more) in on the 'flat rate' shipping charge and it was so well secured against movement in transit that it took almost five minutes to get it unboxed. I'm not complaining.

RJSquirrel · #2 06-09-2022, 03:28 PM

Carmelas has a sweet spot in Hawaii to grow those. Grams are big plants. They get like the vine in little shop of horrors. You wake up one morning it will be hanging over your head demanding to be fed

Leisesturm · #3 06-09-2022, 04:00 PM

At least for awhile it will have all the space it wants because I only have 8 other plants for it to compete with. When I was in the aquarium hobby you always heard about people that got baby Pacu or African Knife Fish having to release them into rivers (bad) when they outgrew the 120 gallon tank. I used to do well with the warm growers back in the day. I just want to do right by this beautiful monster.

Clawhammer · #4 06-09-2022, 04:20 PM

Always wanted one of these, just don't have the space.

Carmela Orchids is a top rung supplier.

RJSquirrel · #5 09-14-2022, 08:46 PM

Carmelas grew mine out for a few more months.

Feed me!!!

Cinder blocks work great for holding these 6" pots and overly large top heavy plants.

Cinder block planters

Leisesturm · #6 09-18-2022, 01:26 AM

Very nice. Mine has started two new growths, so I have no choice but to figure a way to keep it warm and growing over the winter. And I probably should repot it as well. I haven't seen a cinder block in ... a really long time. I have mine in several, stacked, empty clay pots which appears to provide enough ballast to keep it upright. Wonder what they do at the orchid factory? Surely they don't hang them?

RJSquirrel · #7 09-18-2022, 06:31 AM

Im working on what to do for winter myself right now. I have too many options and I will probably settle on converting the shower in the bath I dont use into a large orchid den. All I need is put up a 4 x 4 LED gro light...

with a new glass door, instant orchid growing area for winter

Keysguy · #8 09-18-2022, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

Very nice. Mine has started two new growths, so I have no choice but to figure a way to keep it warm and growing over the winter. And I probably should repot it as well. I haven't seen a cinder block in ... a really long time. I have mine in several, stacked, empty clay pots which appears to provide enough ballast to keep it upright. Wonder what they do at the orchid factory? Surely they don't hang them?

Why not? Mine is in a 16" plastic basket and it's hanging up in my shade house. The only issue that happens then is the flower spikes might hit up against the shade cloth roof.