Phaius tankervilleae

[bitis78]

Howdy all,

Here are some photos of this year's flowering of my P. tankervilleae. Everything - plant and flowers - is twice as big as last year and it's not yet as big as it will become!

I have stood next to the plant to give you an idea of size.

Everyone should have a piece of this magnificent orchid - not only is it as beautiful as any other, the fragrance is truly delicious!

Andrew.

[stefpix]

I have one too! The "poor man's laelia tenebrosa"!
seems like a great plant.
how do you care for it? moist? what kind of light?

let me know - advice needed. so if it blooms now down there, up here should be in 6 monts as seasons are switched?
stefano

[bitis78]

Hey Stefano,

This one likes relatively low light and year-round watering (although I do cut the waterings back to weekly in Winter). Any direct sun will burn the leaves. I keep mine under a fibreglass awning, where my grapevine filters the light - I guess you could say same lighting as for paphs.

Whilst the mix I use won't be available over there, you should be able to find something like it. I use the "Cymbidium mix" made by Orchid Care Services (also in Sydney). The bark is radiata pine, and a slightly finer grade than epiphytic/lithophytic mixes. The mix also has rice hulls in it to retain moisture a little better while still being well-drained. Despite this, P. tankervilleae is a terrestrial and I am sure it wouldn't mind what you put it in! LOL

I water with collected rainwater and with used pooey water from fish tank water changes...hehe

A little trick... When the flowers begin to fizzle out, cut the spike off, then carefully peel away the floral bracts which appear at intervals along the stem, to expose a tiny eye. Chop the stem into sections, each with an eye in the middle, then lay the sections in Sphagnum. After a short while, you will have a LOT more Phaius!

Happy growing!
Andrew.

P.S. I know they call it the poor man's L. tenebrosa, but when you consider the fragrance, showiness, number of flowers and sheer size, I reckon L. tenebrosa got the mucky end of the stick! LOL

[stefpix]

thanks for the info!
I did not know they already called it "the poor man's laelia tenebrosa"! i made it up by looking at the blooms. thanks for the tips. I heard about the propagation from the flower stem.

Have it by a south window, 30 cm from the glass. light filtered from tree.
cay pot + a mix of organic terrestrial mix, perlite, bark and ground coconut husk soil. water about 3 times a week... soemtimes every other day. heard that soil does not to dry up too much.
Have also a Bletilla and Spathoglottis. similar care.
Does the Phaius bloom once year?
I have seen some in 2 large clay pots at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. looks like the rhizome prodiced many off shoots.

does it like to be pot bound to flower or do I need to give some room?

[bitis78]

Sounds like you've got the right situation for it. This species is one that does not seem to mind coco husk fibre (though I choose not to use it) and the rest of the mix sounds great - well-drained, whilst moisture retentive.

Yes, it blooms once a year only, but the flowers last for weeks, so you at least get to enjoy it for some time.

Each pseudobulb can produce many growths and I find that specimen plants will tend to grow in an ever-widening circle, as growths form in all directions. It does not need to be pot-bound to flower, but at the rate it grows, it becomes pot-bound almost annually! hehe

[stefpix]

Do you grow an ground orchids? Bletillas and Spathoglottis plicata? any tips? my Spathoglottis has not bloomed yet

[bitis78]

I have Bletilla striata, which is extremely easy to grow and flower - I should think that you'll have no problem. Bletilla rules are simple... Copious water in growing season, tapered down gradually after flowering. When the growth dies back, remove the tuber and store in a cool, dry place over Winter. Plant in early spring.

My experience with Spathoglottis is limited, although I do have a young plant which is not yet flowering size. As I understand it, Spathoglottis really like tropical conditions, so copious, year-round watering and good warmth and humidity should see it flourish.

Both Spathoglottis and Bletilla can take and do like more light than Phaius.

[stefpix]

I got the phaius last and probably is the one I likew best of the 3. I leave the spath outside my south window [which i think is equivalent to a north window in 'stralia]...
if i grow the Bletilla in my bedroom does it require dormancy or can i just keep it in the with normal care?
s

[bitis78]

I'm pretty sure that the Bletilla will still go dormant - it is the nature of that particular plant.

[stefpix]

feels like it is like some crocus or a daffodil then!