Re: Orchids summer\autumn 2008

[mark smyth]

I've been given some Pterostylis, thanks Liam and Joan, and would like to find out how best to grow them.

[Slug Killer]

Hi Mark

I grow Pterostylis curta and to be honest they seem to grow well in anything I put them in. What do they look like at the moment? The reason I ask is many Pterostylis are imports from OZ and therefore out of Sync with UK growing seasons. If this is the case you will probably just have dormant little tubers or if in sync there will more than likely be growth well above the surface now. Mine are grown in the conservatory as they need protection below -5 deg C. The medium mine are in now which they seem happy in and multiply well is a mixture of perlite, coarse peat and bark fines. They need to be kept moist during the winter months when sprouting and watered freely when in flower. An occasional liquid feed at half strength is beneficial and increases offsets. Reduce watering as the flowers and leaves wither in mid summer and leave completely dry when dormant.

If they are out of sink it will take at least two years for them to adjust.

David

[Maggi Young]

Referring back to earlier pages ( p. 4 onwards) of this thread, where there was discussion about Habenaria (Pecteilis) radiata.... an update:  I ordered some, for myself and for Wim, from Thompson and Morgan and was advised that these would be dispatched to me in Novemeber. I have recently had a letter from T and M saying that " as the season has been very late in Japan, the plants are still in growth and are not yet ready to be sent out. It is hoped to dispatch them to customers in February "  What a nuisance....I hope that if they've had all this extra growing time they will be particularly nice tubers when they finally do arrive!

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Maggi,
I can kind of believe this. My plants only fully browned off about 3 weeks ago. Though why they then still need till February.....
At least they will still be dormant then. I don't start watering mine until sometime in March.

Paul

[Maggi Young]

Hi Maggi,
I can kind of believe this. My plants only fully browned off about 3 weeks ago. Though why they then still need till February.....
At least they will still be dormant then. I don't start watering mine until sometime in March.

Paul

Well, Paul, if you don't begin watering them until March then I feel a bit better about the wait, since they won't be "missing" much in the meantime.

[BULBISSIME]

Craig,
what a WONDERFULL Picture ! and plant !!
Where did you get it ? and how do you grow it ?
Thank's,
Fred

David, it looks like Habenaria malleifera. You might be interested to have a look at this link:

http://www.ukorchidforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=5121

Here's another Habenaria flowering at the moment, H.medusa a south east Asian species, far from hardy but easily grown on a windowsill the last two years and tooo beautiful not to post here. Flowers are about 7.5cm across

[Roma]

Re Habenaria radiata from Thompson&Morgan.
I got 3 tubers in April - originally supposed to arrive in February so I hope yours are not postponed again, Maggi. I potted them up together in a large pot as advised in the cultivation leaflet ( larger than I would have thought necessary or advisable) in a proprietary orchid compost.
I kept the pot on the greenhouse floor near the door to keep it cool .  The orchids were very slow growing and didn't form buds till quite late.
Two formed flower buds as they were starting to die back.  I did hope one might flower before the plant browned off completely but the frost the last two  nights has finished it off.  Ah well there's always next year if they survive the winter.

[Eric Locke]

Hi
I learned a lesson many years ago . DO not buy anything specialist from T and M.
Plants are usually very poor ,overpriced and often sent out at the wrong time !!.

Eric

[Maggi Young]

Re Habenaria tubers and T&M....... ooh, errr, it's not looking good, is it? 

[WimB]

Hmmm,

that doesn't sound very good, but still: let's try... you never know.

Wim

[mark smyth]

Oops I missed the reply to my query. These have already flowered in this country - earlier this year.

[Craig]

Fred,
I have 2 H,medusa - 1 came from Orchideeen Wubben, the other from Paul Christian.
Now is probably a good time to get them as they are either dormant or close to it. Wubben have it listed as H.myriotricha which seems synonymous to me ( & the Monocots Checklist)

All the best,

Craig

[BULBISSIME]

Thabk's Craig,
I'll try to get some,
Fred

[Michael]

Some orchids currently blooming (unfortunately tropical, but it's all i got right now)

Coelia bella


Laelia anceps


Brown form of Gongora galeata


Very long Cirrhopetalum



Sorry for the quality 

[Roma]

Maggi! Help!  Do you have the Phone number for Plantaholics Anonymous?  I saw the following in Tesco last Tuesday .  It looked so cute and I was in need of retail therapy because of the weather I just couldn't resist it.  It is only 17cm high with its roots crammed into a 5cm pot.