Ponerorchis graminifolia

[biodiversite]

All in the title : is somebody grows this japanese orchid ? Moreover, is somebody successfull with Habenaria radiata : how do you do ?
Thanks 

[Jim McKenney]

Habenaria radiata is of easy culture here in eastern North America: it seems to respond well to our hot summers and properly positioned is hardy outside. However, the plants are so small that they are easily overwhelmed by more robust plants; furthermore, it is easy to lose track of them outside.

I grow it in full sun in pots of acidic peaty sand kept continually moist. Here in USDA zone 7  Montgomery County, Maryland, USA  it typically blooms in August.

I've attached two images: one of the flower, another of the underground parts of freshly dug plants (photographed against a grid of five lines to the inch).

[Jim McKenney]

The second image didn't make it the first time. Here it is.

[Maggi Young]

Bio, see this thread, from the post mentioned below for the next few pages (starting on page 4 of that thread) there is discussion of Habenaria /Pecteilis radiata...............

http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=2390.45

 

Re: Orchids summer\autumn 2008
« Reply #48 on: August 29, 2008, 06:34:06 PM »
 One of my favourites flowering : Pecteilis radiata.

You will see that I ordered some for myself and for Wim from Thompson and Morgan.... they have yet to arrive....
though they are promised for February 

[Jim McKenney]

Thanks, Maggi, I didn't know about that other thread. Lots of stunning pictures there: another very pleasant hole to fall into for a few hours!

[Maggi Young]

Yup, Jim, it is such fun to rediscover pages, as I just did with that one myself.....the sheer volume of threads amazes me...... such diversity among the plants our Forumists grow.....

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Bio,
For Ponerorchis graminifolia (=Orchis graminiflora) see my Wisley log no. 16 for 2006 on 31 July (http://www.srgc.org.uk/wisley/2008/010808/log.html)

Cheers

Paul

[biodiversite]

Thank you Maggi, Jim & Paul !

Paul, do you think this plant could be tried outside ?
As you told about the medium, what do you finally prefer ?

[Paul Cumbleton]

Not sure how hardy they may prove - where do you garden? If winters are not too severe they may be OK in a sheltered spot but I think it would be quite a risk to be honest.

I still haven't decided on a good compost - I talked to another grower who siad they do fine for him in a normal alpine compost by which he meant loam and grit. I am going to try this this coming year as I'm not happy really with the mix so far

Paul

[Eric Locke]

Hi all

Wondering what experience others have had growing these miniature beauties ?
Tubers of these have only recently started to become available.
A few years ago ,following reading an article in the "Pleione Review" I managed to purchase a few tubers.
I then planted these in a similar compost to the one  mentioned, which consisted off - two parts finely beaten Seramis,one part fine perlite and one part dark,loose humus.
Although a couple of these did flower they did not grow well and were soon lost.
This weekend I noticed at the Peterborough orchid show, a Japanese nursery selling nice looking plants growing in 100% Sphagnum moss ,which is far removed from the compost I had tried.
I purchased some to try ,but would be most interested to hear of others experience with these.

Eric

[Frans IJsselstijn]

Hello Eric

I grow Ponerorchis in
2 part seramis
2 part kanuma
1 part sphagnum
In dormant period they grow them cold (5 C)
Growing season they grow warm

Frans

[Eric Locke]

Frans - Many thanks for details of your compost mixture.

I wonder ,what is kanuma ?

I guess this is possibly a similar mixture to that which I tried without  success before, perhaps the tubers were of poor quality.

Eric

[Maggi Young]

Frans - Many thanks for details of your compost mixture.

I wonder ,what is kanuma ?

I wondered the very samething! I found this : http://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/kanuma.html   .... where I read " This particular material comes from the Kanuma Area of Japan which is basically the center of Azalea Bonsai Growing.� Again, you must understand as with Akadama, that this is the stuff that the Japanese have out in their back yards........it's their "dirt."� This material is dug out from 10 feet down, allowed to dry, crushed and then sorted as to grain sizes.� It is more acidic than Akadama, and therefore, used mainly for Azaleas, Camellias, Gardenias and other acid loving Bonsai."

There are photos of the kanuma, also.

[Eric Locke]

Thanks Maggi, you are as wonderfull as ever.

Eric

[Maggi Young]

Thanks Maggi, you are as wonderfull as ever.

Eric

You are too kind, Eric! 
Actually, I though it sounded edible and so just had to check it out!!