The Most Beautiful Terrestrial Orchid

[articuno75]

I found this orchid on the web. I think it's the most beautiful orchid. It's called Habenaria radiata or Pecteilis radiata, aka "The Egret Flower" or "Crane Orchid". Does anyone grow this or have seen this? I have been trying to find culture notes on this with really no such luck. I'm in love all over again.

[tom499]

Heron Flower Orchidaceae Habenaria radiata

I've heard they are tricky plants, but I think this is mainly due to the temperatures they require. For once, us Brits have an advantage, as like many terristrials they need cool nights and a cool winter nap.

But of course this is no reason to not try them. It says these plants like semi shade, so keeping them fairly cool should be ok for you guys, a cool breeze will help too.

I've read of Disa and other terristrials being winter rested in the fridge without much problem. As long as they arent kept to wet they do well.

[sandra]

Wow, that is gorgeous.

[rmt135]

Have you tried these links?

IOSPE PHOTOS

Orchid - Habenaria radiata (White Egret Orchid)

[kmarch]

According to Alec Pridgeon's Orchid Encyclopedia, Habenaria are really widespread across Asia, Africa, and South America. As such they come from varying climates and so would require slightly different conditions. This might make them tricky in cultivation as we'd have to sort out which species we were growing and then try to replicate those particular conditions.

I don't grow many terrestrials, only a couple of Aussie natives so I've never grown this one. It's a beauty though.

[arleneg]

Beautiful!! I'd love to grow one. However, I know it won't survive my environment when summer comes.

[pikevi]

Thanks articuno75.

I have seen those flowers on the 'net and I was hoping to add some of those orchids to my collection.

Aren't they so aptly named?

[kellyincville]

Wow...that is so beautiful. Unfortunately I don't think it'll be able to handle the VA summers.

[brownthumb]

I could have sworn I saw this on ebay about 3 weeks ago. Did a search and I can not find it now but I think it may have been nia's orchids that had it

[tizzycat]

Jenny, that is gorgeous.

[brookn]

Oh Jenny I love that plant. I must resist the urge to find and buy it immediately. I think I saw it on ebay also, but I am not sure if it was from Nia's or not.

[articuno75]

Here's the only two vendors that I could find.
The Wild Orchid Company

Van Bourgondien - Dutch Bulbs and Perennials Since 1880

I think I'm going with the later cause price and shipping is cheaper

[brookn]

Jenny you are positively taunting me.

[brian monk]

I purchased several Habenaria and Pecteilis tubers at the WOC this year. There is precious little info on growing them out there. Several species are grassland specialists, and require the ethylene produced from seasonal fires to sprout and bloom. I have Habenaria medioflexa, Habenaria lindleyana, Habenaria rhodocheila, Habenaria carnea, Pecteilis sagarikii, and Pecteilis susannae. I am anxiously waiting for growth.

[pikevi]

yea, it appears that the conditons for them are pretty difficult to re-create.

I am looking into a way to create a 'marshy' condition before I try them..... Have you thought of a large aquarium tank (say a 200litre one) placed on its side? That is what I thought will give the best solution to get the right conditions, at least here in cold climates and indoors. As for the will o' the wisps I doubt if anything can be done. But there is always 'rotting fruit peels' for ethylene.

( I have no idea how the whole setup will 'smell' like though)

Please let us know how yours are faring, brian monk.

Thanks.

[janice]

Jenny, that is absolutely gorgeous........................if I buy anymore I am going to have to either add on or rent a house just for my orchids!!!

[sandra]

Jenny, did you buy this yet? I want one now too.

[articuno75]

I'm going to try these....

Brooke~They scream "Buy ME!!!" LOL

Janice~ You can always make room for more orchids, I'm going to have to start hanging them from my walls, LOL

pikevi~ By what I could find they don't seem that hard to grow. It's the medium that is the touble. I found that one grower doesn't truely treat them as bog plants, but constantly keeps them moist. A mix of Kanuma (similar to perlite), peat and charcoal. (His ratio was 9:1 perlite to peat, and a handful of charcoal. This is a more free draining mix. Reducing chance of rot.

I'm just wondering if the 9 represents perlite, that's an awful lot of perlite. I'm wondering if the numbers aren't mixed. I'm going to try but I think I might change the numbers a little.

Brian~ Pecteilis susannae is very similar to radiata. I love it too. I've also been looking for sagarikii, could have bought it last year, but I really didn't have that much knowledge about terrestrials then. I'm a wee bit more informed now and ready to try and give it a go! (You watch, I'm going to kill it, LOL.....Wait that's not funny. )

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by sandra

Jenny, did you buy this yet? I want one now too.

Not yet, but you can only get them in the Spring and Fall and they start shipping in March @ Wild Orchid Co..

I'm going through Dutch bulbs cause they're cheaper both in price and shipping and bulbs are guaranteed. Only available during Spring.

[articuno75]

Okay I did it, I lost temporary sanity and bought some! This will be my very first terrestrial orchid. I'm excited. Woo hoo !!!