Prolly gonna get bashed but...

[NWBOCHs09]

So I came across the native florida Ghost Orchid (meaning the name and pictures not the actual orchid) and ... I hate to say it but I want one...

Is there anywhere they are captive cultivating these RARE orchids or is it illegal?... just curious, I think they are so interesting!

[WhiteRabbit]

Oak Hill Gardens

I do believe it is very difficult to grow however - but - if you are up for a challenge - why not?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Leafless orchids in general are harder to grow.

Lucky for you, there are a number of people who actually know how these grow in nature.

It's probably best to ask them about the kind of environment they grow in naturally. It'll give you a better shot at growing them. I also advise looking at the numerous pics of them growing in the wild here on the Orchid Board. There are lots of clues there.

[got ants]

I have one growing on a stick mount. Another five years before it blooms, so we shall see.

[susiep]

I bought a little Ghost from Oak Hill a few months ago and it is getting steadily smaller! My advice is buy the very biggest one you can find. The small ones need some kind of special environment to get started (bacteria or fungus or something). I have to warn you... the small ones from Oak Hill are not established at all! They are a small clump of disonnected roots tied over some moss onto a stick with fishing line. Mine looked like it had been cut the day before. It got browner with every passing day and little pieces started falling off. About half of the original clump is still left. It was only the size of a nickle to begin with so that gives you an idea how small I am talking about. No new growth that I can see. Just thought I would warn you! I will post a picture if I can find one.

[susiep]

Here is a picture before it started shrinking!

Polyrrhiza lindenii - April 24, 2009 - Orchid Board Galleries

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by susiep

Here is a picture before it started shrinking!

Polyrrhiza lindenii - April 24, 2009 - Orchid Board Galleries

Wow...

No offense, but that is uugly...

How's it being grown?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'm no genius when it comes to Polyrrhiza, (because I've never grown them). I have grown and am currently growing Chiloschistas. While they are difficult to grow for someone who's just starting out in the hobby. They haven't given me problems yet... Chiloschistas are probably the better choice for those who are starting out with growing leafless orchids.

Anyways...

These are my observations of Polyrrhiza from what I've seen in the pics posted here by mikeurquia, prem, and flhiker.

1. They're not twig epiphytes. They grow on medium to large exposed branches and lower to mid level medium to small sized tree trunks sometimes amongst very light patches of moss.

2. They're found mostly in the Florida Fakahatchee swamp forests. So research on this area of the US may be a good start. You also have flhiker, prem, and mikeurquia as resources, they hike through the areas where they grow in nature. Maybe they can give you an idea of what to do with them.

Here's what to look for:

a. temperature differences between night and day
b. temperature differences between seasons
c. during what part of the year does the area receive the highest average annual rainfall (also the least)
d. are there seasonal changes at all?
e. air circulation (this is where asking people like mikeurquia, prem, and flhiker come into play)
f. relative humidity

3. I recommend perusing the pictures that flhiker, prem, and mikeurquia have posted on the OB and really pay attention to the minutia.

Here're the links to their postings:

Picture 4 Ghost Flowers at Once

Multi-flowered ghost orchid...

Ghost seed pod

4. Mycorrhizal fungi plays a role in any orchid's success, but I'm not certain to what degree Polyrrhiza depends on them.

5. I believe lighting should be bright shade or dappled indirect light.

These are my .

[RoyalOrchids]

There's a great article on growing these guys in this month's Orchids magazine.

[susiep]

Yes, King, it is very ugly. Needless to say, I was disappointed to see it. Luckily the other plants in the order distracted me from freaking out over that one.

I happen to live just a few miles straight East of the Fak. As a matter of fact, I drive past the eastern border of the glades off of Alligator Alley every day. So the temp, rainfall, humidity are all the same. I grow under solar screen and palms so the shading is about right. What I don't have is the living pond apple tree that it prefers or several inches (or feet) of everglades water standing a few feet below where it is attached. That environment is unique. I do my best to approximate the environment.

I hope to find a (legal) locally grown plant one of these days. Well estabilished, with roots attached to the mount! Until then, I will nurture this little clump of doomed roots.