Chiloschista parishii (Asian Ghost Orchid)

[Bud]

This plant is indigenous to Nepal, India, Thailand and Indo-China. This unusual orchid does not have leaves, having reduced its leaves to bracts that drop off soon after they grow. Photosynthesis is taken over by its roots that have a green layer below the velamen. The inflorescence is produced from its crown, and this in turn, produces tiny flowers, under 2cm across.
It requires moderate shade and cool to warm temperatures. At midday, this has a faint fragrance of fresh cut grass and cilantro leaves. This can be also grown potted in media that is well draining such as tree fern fibers, small pieces of coarse fir bark, or sphagnum moss. This requires high humidity but should dry out between watering. During growing season in the warmer months, I increase watering frequency and reduce watering during the winter (I give it a slight rest period). I inherited this mounted on an inverted 2” clay pot that is why I water it regularly hanging inside a large brandy glass with an inch pool of water.

[flexdc]

This orchid looks amazing, I don't know how you grow it, just the humidity alone could be a challenge!
Andrew

[Paul Mc]

How long have you had yours Bud? I just got mine a few months ago. I grow it in a round glass ball with a small hole (1 inch or so) in the back with a large hole (3 to 4 inches) in the front. I put a blanket of sphag on the bottom for humidity and covered that with pieces of broken cork wood, then placed mine on top of the cork so nothing would touch the sphag.

What kind of light do you give yours?

[Bud]

Thank You, Andrew ! It was daunting at first, especially on its first few weeks when some of the roots died...but I seem to get the feel of growing this baby...I have another one spiking its the bigger and more roots plant and same size clay mount...the spike takes soooo long to open its buds

[Bud]

Thank You, Paul !
I give this Phalaenopsis light(medium shade), even if this is a vandacious family...I treat it like my cool growing Masdies=who never bloomed for me yet;

It is 4 years old and grows an inch a year maybe...it adds more roots in the summer...this is a first time bloom for me

I have a large brandy glass with a handful of Leca at the bottom with an inch of water...Glen Gary gave me some cypress bark(this has some of the fungi that the large ghost orchid in the forest lives) that I put as a bed above the clay ...and I dangle the clay pots an inch above the water

[WhiteRabbit]

Wow - that's awesome! Cute little blooms, and very ingenious how you grow it!

[Ray]

Very cool. How often do you feed and water it, Bud?

[isurus79]

That is pretty cool. It seems like this one is not often grown in the States for some reason.

[Bud]

Thank You, Sonya !

Thank you Ray ! I spray it every morning till the roots turn deep green...and I use Algoflash alternated with seaweed mix weekly

Thank You, Steve ! I got this from a grower in Indiana...I have seen California grower Peter Lin (AOS Judge) have this on his list on Ebay and he has it blooming size=Peter gave me some tip and how to culture this plant on windowsill

[isurus79]

How big is the whole plant? Or maybe I should ask how big the pot is that it is mounted on.