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EEOS Original Articles |
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The many articles in our Orchid Culture section can solve most of your culture issues. Check them out before submitting a question. |
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AOS Culture Sheets |
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The AOS Culture Sheets are very thorough guides for growing orchids successfully. Read the one pertaining to your kind of orchid before asking a culture question. |
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Ask Your Own Question |
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If the articles and culture sheets in our Orchid Culture section did not solve your problem, feel free to submit your own orchid culture question. |
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(Posted on February 10, 2004) |
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Question |
| Would Phaius tankerville orchid survive the winter in the outside soil here? (To the teens, Fahrenheit, sometimes. |
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Benny Tanhehco - Powell, TN - USA |
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Answer |
| Benny, it's very doubtful. Thanks for the question and for visiting the EEOS web site. |
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Bob Stipe |
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(Posted on
February 5, 2004) |
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Question |
| I just did a landscape for my sister's house. While I know how to care for everything else, I picked up a BEAUTIFUL ground orchid (Spathoglottis plicata) that ties the whole landscape together. I plan on keeping it in a pot so that she can take it with her if she decides to move. However, I noticed there were several small snails and am not sure what is the best way to get them out! Also, I read that you recommed fertilizing weekly and would like to know which brand and type you recommend. Lastly, I LOVE this flower and it seems to be pretty hardy here in Florida so I was wondering what was the best way to propagate it so I can share it. Thanks so MUCH! |
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Teresa - Florida, USA |
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Answer |
| First thing you better do is get rid of the snails. Get some snail bait and poison those snails. Use a soluable fertilizer such as Peters 20-20-20 or equivalent. The orchid should send new divisions after it's established for a year and growing conditions are right. Plant it in filtered light and in a well-drained area. Keep moist and watch out for snails. |
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David Schaffter |
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(Posted on December 31, 2003) |
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Question |
| I just purchased a specimen of Spathoglottis plicata, and have been told several contradictory things about its culture. I do know it's a terrestrial orchid, but while the seller told me to give it some morning sun and an orchid website said to go easy on the sun down south (New Orleans), one of your posted questions and answers states that they need full sun. I also haven't heard anything about temperature extremes. Does it withstand freezes? Does it like to be fertilized often? Thanks in advance for your help. |
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Sal Trabanino, New Orleans, LA - USA |
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Answer |
| Spathoglottis don't need full sun all day long, but they will do well under a tree with an open canopy where it gets high, mottled light during the midday, and they can tolerate full morning & late afternoon sun. Watch for freezes. You can cover them with a sheet or run water on them to protect from freezing. Keep dry, cold wind off them also. |
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David Schaffter |
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Answer |
| Sal, I think the question you're referring to says they CAN be grown in full sun. As a matter of fact, some varieties grow on the side of the road in Jamaica in full sun. The instructions the grower gave you were correct. They can be acclimatized to full sun, but it takes quite a while. As far as fertilizing and watering, mine get watered about every day and fertilized once a week. I doubt if they will withstand a hard freeze, but I don't know for sure. We don't get many hard freezes here in South Florida. One thing to watch out for is that snails like to nibble on them. Thanks for the question and for visiting the EEOS web site. |
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Bob Stipe |
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(Posted on April 27, 2003) |
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Question |
| I would like to know where I could buy nuns orchids, as well as what web site to purchase them on. |
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Michael Bitterman - Cincinnati, OH - USA |
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Answer |
| Michael, you might try just about any home improvement center (i.e.: Home Depot, Lowes) or any garden center or nursery when they're in season. They bloom only in the spring, so it might be difficult to find them now. You could try an Internet search for Phaius tankervillae . Thanks for the question and for visiting the EEOS web site. |
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Bob Stipe |
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(Posted on march 29, 2003) |
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Question |
| Hello. I purchased a Spathoglottis plicata from a greenhouse in Florida and when I received It it was a little bent out of shape I planted It in a mix ok fine orchid bark sphagnum peat moss and some sponge stone and cinders, now the leaves are starting to turn brown about half way up the leaf, the rest looks healthy. What should I do to remedy the situation? I also purchased a Vanda Miss Joaquim it has lots of arial roots and a few that are close enough to the bottom the put in some course orchid bark, any tips on how to care for this rat tale type orchid? Any help would be greatly appreciated! |
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Evan Symmes - Colorado Springs, USA |
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Answer |
| Both Spathoglottis plicata and Vanda Miss Joaquim are terrestrial and will grow best in something like Pro-Mix, in other words something a little heavier and water retentive than an epiphytic mix. We bed Spathoglottis down here. In my experience, it takes a little time for them to establish, but once they do they do not need much attention. It likes full sun, part of the day. I've been trying to establish a bed for the last 6 months, and they are still in the leaf browning stage. You might have a problem with Miss Joaquim since it likes full sunlight, all year long, something you don't have much of in Colorado. |
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Dr. Bert Pressman |
| I have just recently purchased a Nuns Orchid and I did not receive any information about the growth, culture, or care for this Orchid. I would appreciate any information you could provide to me, as I do not know anything about it. |
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Melanie Smith - Vicksburg, MS - USA |
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Answer |
| Your nun's cap orchid (Phaius tankervilleae) is very easy to grow. It's terrestrial, meaning it's a ground growing orchid. It can be grown in full sun, but better foliage results when grown in 25-30 percent shade as the leaves may burn if the sun is too hot. Fertilize once a month with a balanced fertilizer, (20-20-20 or equivalent) or if you prefer, timed release fertilizer twice a year. It is a spring bloomer & blooms only once a year. When the leaves start to look bad, it's okay to cut them off. New growth will emerge from the underside of the bulb. Thanks for the question and for visiting the EEOS web site. |
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Bob Stipe |
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Answer |
| These orchids grow along the roadside down in Jamacia. They like to be potted in a loose potting soil mixed with mulch. Grow in a screened patio, or else in a sunny location, but not full sun in the middle of the day. Watch out for snails! They like them. They bloom in the springtime, just once a year. |
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David Schaffter |
| How and when can I divide my nuns orchid? |
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Diva - Gainesville, FL - USA |
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Answer |
| Your "Nun Orchid", Phaius tankervilleae, needs to finish blooming before attempting to divide it. You should not try to make the divisions too small, as they do like to be planted in groups of 3 to 4 bulbs. You can use standard potting soil in a pot or in the ground & it can be grown fully exposed to the sun, but better foliage results when grown in 25-30 percent shade. |
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Bob Stipe |
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Answer |
| You should be able to divide a Phaius tankerville (nun orchid) during the spring or summer. Make sure you use a terrestial orchid mix, as these orchids grow in loose, airy dirt or mulch. |
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David Schaffter |
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