HELP! Cultivation of Calanthe triplicata (Christmas Orchid))

[pikkumyy]

Hi all,
i was given a Calanthe triplicata on Sunday and i was just wondering if someone could give me some advice on its culture, especially on what to pot it in. it was dug out of a friends garden so all it's in is leaf litter and a little bit of dirt, but it doesn't have enough of the medium to keep it happy so some help would be REALLY appreciated (plus i want to take it to show off at my society meeting next thursday )

thanks again everyone

p.s. here's some photos





this one had actually been growing inside a piece of fallen gum tree bark

[1joyceh]

Beautiful Michael, wonderful gift!!!
wish I could help...but no experience with these....

[pikkumyy]

thanks Joyce, i'll tell you the entire story tomorrow (time has once again gotten away from me )
i believe Dan has some experience with them so

[abiom]

That is really a nice big clump. Your friend is very generous. Cant help you though becoz I'd killed 2 plants

[sunshine]

I love it and when it comes from a friend's garden it's extra special. Ask your friend how he grew it in the garden. That is a nice size clump. Looks like it could be divided again

[terra_australis]

For the benefit of the wider community (...I've already given Michael this advice via email).

Mine are grown in 12" pots in Cymbidium mix that is broken up with perlite and a bit of charcoal. When I repot I throw in a spooonful of blood n' bone as well just to give them a bit of jump start. They prefer shade although will take some morning sunlight as long as they are watered appropriately. They are cold growing and for me are happy in a protected spot outside year round (6-35 degrees celcius). Water right through the year... a lot in the heat of summer and less in winter. I apply liquid fertiliser at half strength year round too.

[pikkumyy]

Thanks again Dan

Originally Posted by sunshine

I love it and when it comes from a friend's garden it's extra special. Ask your friend how he grew it in the garden. That is a nice size clump. Looks like it could be divided again

the friend just had it growing in a heap of leaf litter and stuff like that, and i'd do the same but we dont have enough to fill the pot, and then there is the matter of how often to water etc etc. i would really have liked to mimic it in it's habitat, but it's a lot easier to use and equivalent medium thanks for the suggestion though

[lmartiny]

I may be off here, but looks like my ground orchids. Supplement it with good soil.

[terra_australis]

Originally Posted by lmartiny

I may be off here, but looks like my ground orchids. Supplement it with good soil.

They do grow in similar situations as you'd find Spaths and I'd agree they like a humous rich substrate. In physical structure however they are more like Phaius. They don't like to keep their feet wet like Phaius though.

[pikkumyy]

hey all, i potted it up today so i'll be posting some nicer photo's some time this week