Schomburgkia tibicinis

[ozorchid]

Hi everyone. I have been lucky enough to have found a supplier of Schom tibicinis here in Australia and the plants they grow are cold hardened to some degree, thus they are grown without heat in a cool climate as well but further north in southern New South Wales. I am further south in Melbourne, Victoria where the climate is more mediteranean with cold winters down to 4C celsius and summer highs upwards of 40C celsius!! how would you suggest I grow and flower these orchids here? I do have a glasshouse though not heated yet, but can I get these babies to flower? any other pointers on watering and fertilising that may benefit my attempt to grow these?
I have always wanted one of these and am rather excited to finally own one.

( I am getting more adventurous with my orchids these days!!!)Look forward to your comments and help and hope I haven't confused you with the north/ south stuff...LOL

Cheers

[Ron-NY]

tibicinus can get to be a monster plant. I grew mine with intermediate temps in as high light as I could get. I finally had to find a new home for it for it was just taking up too much room. The spikes were close to 10 feet long and the p-bulbs were over 18" high, a couple closer to 2 feet. I grew it in an empty basket watered frequently and fertilized regularly while in growth, less water when not in active growth.

[ozorchid]

WOW! that is big!!, well...mine is arriving already in a 300mm diameter tree fern slab and bulbs are anywhere between 200-300mm high. It is in flower but they will be cut off for transport, shame. Oh well, looks like I will have to make room in the glasshouse in winter I guess, that should be interesting!!
Thanks for the comment and culture notes.
Cheers