Thunia bracteata

[Dorsetman]

Plant habit ( and awkwardness) is similar to T.marshalliana - if conditions do not suit it down to the ground ( maybe literally ) it just forms a long thin cane which do not flower. Indeed I found it in the wild, lots of it, growing in big clumps without ever a sign of a bud, flower or pod ( which there ought to have been at the time I was there ). I thought it was marshalliana .

Grown in S/H , flowering as quite a small plant - hence there being only two flowers instead of the half a dozen one might expect. But flowering this early in the season gives me a chance to try and fatten it up after flowering so as to give much stronger growth(s) next year.

Being very prejudiced, I think this is the nicest Thunia of all.

[panam]

Oh, Geoff, that really is lovely. Such elegant flowers!

[Cjcorner]

I hadn't heard of these before. They are such beautiful flowers! Nice one!

[orchidsal]

I don't think Geoff that you will be surprised that I had never heard of this orchid before now either. Congratulations on getting this plant to bloom and these truly are wonderful flowers. I can see why you think they are worth the effort. AL

[kiwiorchids]

i have almost bought one of these on many occasions, but i am a bit hesitant......they look nice, but what are they like to grow?

[Dorsetman]

i have almost bought one of these on many occasions, but i am a bit hesitant......they look nice, but what are they like to grow?

If you can grow any Thunias, youi can grow this. I have gone on from using terrestrial type composts - peat, grit, charcoal - to straight moss( much better) then S/.H using straight Perlite - better again. They are easy - dry them off when the leaves yellow in the autumn , put them in a cupboard even ! then watch for that tiny speck of green at the bottom in the Spring, and when it comes water very gingerly - a teaspoon at a time, until the growth is an inch high, repot if needed, and away you go. They are traditionally a cool house orchid in UK, but I am growing in my Vanda/cattleya conditions - can't be too fussy can they ?

[lanhua]

Geoff, it's also my experience with Thunia alba.

[Dorsetman]

Geoff, it's also my experience with Thunia alba.

I have a friend ( in my Orchid Soiciety) who specialises in terrestrials, and ism very knowledgable. He told me that alba and marshalliana are eaily confused because both white, but alba has shorter thicker canes. Alba - he says - is easy. maybe yours is not true ?

[kiwiorchids]

Thanks Geoff....next time i see one for sale on Trade me, iits time to dig into my savings!

[lanhua]

Geoff, according to Kew Garden, Thunia marshalliana is a synonym to Thunia alba var alba.