Australian native terrestrial orchids

[Paul T]

Darren,

I was talking to someone this afternoon about flowering Corybas (I was sharing a few tubers... Pterostylis, Diplodium, Serapias and Thelymitra) and they said that the key is apparently humidity.  If not humid enough they won't flower.  I was told to put a clear cover "hood" over the plants as soon as they come into leaf.  They need this humidity to trigger the flowering.  Some others put the pot into a plastic bag that sits high above the pot, then leave it open at the top (traps air above the pot and keeps it humid).  There have apparently been arguments about which is better.    Hopefully that might give a clue as to why they have worked some years for you and not others?  Have they been more humid years when they flowered (if you can remember)?

[Pascal B]

Paul, the humity solution with the hood is more intended to let the buds mature as they otherwise shrivel up, I highly doubt it will influence the formation of buds as this goes back to the previous year. Unless it is suggested that keeping the air humidity high this season will promote flowering next year?

[Paul T]

Pascal,

You're right, I used the term "trigger the flowering" and you're spot on that this wouldn't be right.  I had been thinking of it like that, but it would not be the formation of the buds, but the appearance of the buds that would need the humidity.  I am guessing that without the humidity they abort very early, so we never see them.  I hadn't thought about the mechanics of it but you're right.  I've not seen buds even appearing on mine, but they may shrivel so early that they never seem to appear at all? 

[rob krejzl]

Paul,

If they're the diamenicus I gave you then it may be a temp. thing - AFAIK they're sourced from Mt Wellington; probably a little cooler than your place.

[Banksia_Man]

G'day all,

I have just discovered your superb show of Australian ground orchids (Thelymitra, Pterosylis, Diuris, etc). All of these I have seen growing in the Stirling Range (WA). Having grown at our home in the Rhône Valley numerous other species native to Australia and more specifically to the Stirling range (especially Banksia), I would like to turn my hand to ground Orchids too: However I have been frustrated for last two seasons because Paul Christian (Wrexham) has suspended supplying them. I have just noticed that I can get 3 Thelymitra sp from "Laneside" Nursery.

Can you suggest other suppliers,  as it is not easy for me to get to shows in the UK?

Best regards,

Banksia Man

[Peter Maguire]

One site I can recommend is http://www.myorchids.de/main1.htm.
Heinrich Bayerle, whose site this is, grows his orchids from seed, and the plants I have had from him in the past have been excellent, and grown away well. Among the Australian genera he lists are Diuris, Thelymitra, Microtis and Pterostylis. Some good South African species also.
The list is only valid until the end of December, so you're too late for the 2010 list. The new one seems to appear about late August/September time if memory serves me correctly.

[Darren]

Heinrich's list often appears as early as June and , like Peter, I have found the service and quality excellent.

re: Corybas, I do indeed cover the plants as soon as I can see the flower buds (often in January but this year will be several weeks late I think), generally if buds abort they are visible as shrivelled remains. Still a bit mystified about bud formation but interested by all your replies. Incidentally - molluscs love Corybas flowers.

[Paul T]

Darren,

Mollusks love Acianthus flowers as well.... I have a bunch coming into bud last year and one night every stem went. 

Rob,

I now have Corybas from a couple of different sources, and to be honest I haven't checked the pots to see which are from where.  I know that I did lose complete pots of 2 of them one year, but I don't know whether those were from you or not. 

Banksia Man,

Good luck with finding the Aussie terrestrials where you are.  I have no idea of suppliers elsewhere in the world.

[Maggi Young]

Hello Banksia Man, a warm welcome to the Forum.

Good advice from Peter and Darren about sources, I'm sure.... and likely more to come from other Forumists.... they're a clever bunch, and very helpful!

[Maren]

Hi,

I can recommend Andrew Bannister of Orchid Alchemy. He grows some beautiful Thelymitra http://www.orchidalchemy.com/shop/category_3/Temperate-Terrestrial-Orchids.html?shop_param=cid%3D%26.

[BULBISSIME]

Hi Banksia Man,
I think we could swap some Pterostylis ...  may be no need of post office 
see you soon

[Banksia_Man]

Thanks to you all for your advice.     Heinrich's site looks great!

Banksia Man

[Maren]

Hi,

has anyone seen Spiranthes australis in flower? it should bloom between December and February. http://www.orchidspecies.com/spiraustralis.htm

I am looking for seed.

[Paul T]

Maren,

I grow the local Spiranthes, which I think is the species.  Little pink and white flowers?  Mine aren't flowering this year though, as I hadn't for a couple of years and they'd gone rather backwards.  They've just been repotted and should be hopefully back to flowering size next year, fingers crossed. 

[Maren]

Hi Paul,

No seeds from yours then  

I wish you luck with your plant. I have one small plant of Spiranthes sinensis, which some people consider to be a synonym of S australis, although I cant see it:

S sinensis:   white flower with pink edging
S australis:  pink flower with white edging.

The sinensis is a bit tricky, it likes it wet but perhaps not as cold as we get it here. Yet I have acres, well, lots of Spiranthes cernua v odorata 'Chadd's Ford', growing in medium bark in deep pots in half an inch of water all year round, and they love it. Masses of new growths that even the frost didn't touch. - Perhaps the S sinensis will grow better with my pleiones rather than outdoors.

How do you grow yours?