Phaius tankervilliae

[TwoStems]

My, what a fantastic display! Simply gorgeous!! I was just reading about these today - I may need to see if I can find one in my area
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[Dorsetman]

Well Maura, I was going to show you my plant - but I won't bother. I do have to grow it in the greenhouse, and one as big as this would be rather space consuming - but oh so worthwhile !
A question for you - from me ( there's something ! ) what do you grow it in ? I have been using sphagnum moss, but was thinking of trying rock-wool cubes , which are often suggested for terrestrials over here. ( This is of course a terrestrial - I have seen them growing at the sides of ditches in places as far apart as Malaya- going up towards Cameron Highlands, and Costa Rica , on the Atlantic/Carribean side ).
And a suggestion for you - look out for Phaiocalanthe Kryptonite - very similar in size and shape, but some clones - e.g. Chariots of Fire are dark red, and so very dramatic ! I'm sure you will find it worth growing.
I'm hunting it for my own collection, but it seems to have been bred in Florida (?) and the one nursery we have who used to have an associated one near Kissimee has gone out of business - I'm still looking, but you may find it easier - in fact I have found it offered at US nurseries, but importation from your country is too difficult and expensive because of CITES.

[paphioboy]

I am in AWE of that plant and your growing skills. If only it were possible to send a piece of it (or even seed) to me..

[Nataliwind]

Susan,
k_andreev,
Amey,
thank you very much!

[Nataliwind]

Natalie... if i wasnt such a notorious gay i would be trying to marry you! my mom inherited my tanks when i left the states about 9 years ago...its big and been divided a few times but it has never put out such an amazing display as yours...BUT the thing that makes me love you more than kim jong il loved pantsuits is that jug of jim beam in the picture!!! jim beam and i have been having a torrid love affair for a coupe of decades now (he picked me up when i was barely legal) i have jim in the hand that is not typing right now... you have just become my new favorite person... well its a tossup between yew and you... but then again i love having favorite new people... so the yew/you's have it!!!
can we be best friends?

Shane,

What a clever and witty post! Of course I am delighted to call you my friend. Jim Beam is a favorite in our house, sometimes a little too much of a favorite.

[Nataliwind]

It knows when it has it good. A lovely lady to care for it and a great climate to live in ---what else would it do but grow and bloom like crazy to show it's appreciation?

Thank you Bill! how sweet
Mazlan, Bruce, Yew, Zain,
Thank you!

JUST AWESOME, AWESOME!. How many varieties do you have?

Just one.

[Nataliwind]

красивая! That is going to be an truly incredible display when they all open!

Wow! I like your Russian!

Fabulous ! Extraordinaire (in French). Bravo, bravo, bravo !

Merci beaucoup!

[Nataliwind]

I would be happy to send you a seedling if you lived in USA.

[Nataliwind]

Well Maura, I was going to show you my plant - but I won't bother. I do have to grow it in the greenhouse, and one as big as this would be rather space consuming - but oh so worthwhile !
A question for you - from me ( there's something ! ) what do you grow it in ? I have been using sphagnum moss, but was thinking of trying rock-wool cubes , which are often suggested for terrestrials over here. ( This is of course a terrestrial - I have seen them growing at the sides of ditches in places as far apart as Malaya- going up towards Cameron Highlands, and Costa Rica , on the Atlantic/Carribean side ).
And a suggestion for you - look out for Phaiocalanthe Kryptonite - very similar in size and shape, but some clones - e.g. Chariots of Fire are dark red, and so very dramatic ! I'm sure you will find it worth growing.
I'm hunting it for my own collection, but it seems to have been bred in Florida (?) and the one nursery we have who used to have an associated one near Kissimee has gone out of business - I'm still looking, but you may find it easier - in fact I have found it offered at US nurseries, but importation from your country is too difficult and expensive because of CITES.

I suppose the message is addressed to me (I did not find any message of Maura).
I saw a few times Phaiocalanthe Kryptonite available for sale and agree with you, they are very pretty. Maybe will get one in the future.
Back to your question (thanks!). I grow it in Miracle-Gro Orchid Potting Mix for terrestrial orchids. Here are some pictures I took while I re-potted my plant in November, 2009.




One and the half bags of potting mix was not enough because the pot was too big,so I had to add some standard orchid mix.

[Nataliwind]

One more picture from November, 2009


March, 10th, 2011. My younger son was 3 y.o. then. He is a quite tall guy.