Plant ID for my Orchid-like flowering plant

15 years ago

I found this beautiful plant at Home Depot today. The flowers look a lot like orchid flowers......they are so pretty.

I don't want to kill it...and no one who worked there could help me figure out a name so I could look up care instructions for it.

It's got big roots all over the top of the soil, and it's soaking wet....I'm hoping it's not something that likes it dry! lol

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Comments (9)

the_analyst
15 years ago
The plant definitely appears to be an orchid, perhaps a Cymbidium. Repost this in the orchid forum. There are some extremely knowledgable people at that forum who can id the plant. Basically, orchids can be picky with lighting and watering, so it is a good idea to know the family of orchids this belongs to.

Sarah
regine_Z 10 Fl gw
15 years ago
Yours looks like a Phillipine Ground Orchid
( Spathoglottis Plicata). The flowers come in several different colors but the leaves look like yours. I have mine in the ground where it does best with morning sun or bright filtered light and it gets watered twice a week when the sprinklers come on.
There is also a Chinese Ground Orchid with similar leaves but the culture is the same.

Regina
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jaxondel
15 years ago
Your plant appears to be a terrestrial orchid in the Phaius grouping (common name, 'Nun's Orchid'). There seems to be a number of closely allied terrestrial orchids that are included in this grouping, including the Chinese Ground Orchid that Regina mentions. The ones I purchased about 3 years ago were merely labeled as 'Nun's Orchid'. So far, I've been unable to find more specific info on the variety that I have.

These are one of three orchids that I grow outdoors as perennials in a shady location. The others are Bletilla and Pleione.
haxuan
15 years ago
I have the same plant and someone in the Orchid Forum identified it as "Ground Orchid". I have mine in full sun (the hot, scorching sun of a sub-tropical climate) and it blooms CONTINUALLY since 2005!

Xuan (from Vietnam)
redheadedstepchild75
Original Author
15 years ago
I'm not sure what I should do with these baies now.
I bought them thinking what the lady at HD told me about them NOT TO BE LEFT OUTSIDE.....now, I don't know if I should plant them...or keep them in here.....I want these blooms to keep doing their thing though....I love them! lol

I looked at several websites last night that gave rather vague...no so great information about care. It needs to stay wet is about all I gather...and, the clumps are to be divided to propagate them...other than that...nothing.

Is anyone keeping these indoors in a bright window?
What type of fertilizer are you using?

Also, thank you very much to everyone who responded.......I'm excited to be in the new world of Orchids.......what am I gonna do? Addictions to Epiphyllum, Hoya...and now probably Orchids. lol
My husband will be more thrilled than ever! lol

He calls our house the jungle.
regine_Z 10 Fl gw
15 years ago
The experience I've had with Nun's Orchid is that it blooms once a year for a brief amount of time and the flower is much different than yours. The Spathoglottis will bloom most of the time, but does require a lot of fertilizer.Check out the link.

Regina

Here is a link that might be useful: spathoglottis
the_analyst
15 years ago
I wouldn't listen to the people at HD. Most of them really don't much more about plants than maybe the type and price. I agree with others in that it may be a ground orchid. I hadn't thought of ground orchids when I posted before.

Sarah
redheadedstepchild75
Original Author
15 years ago
Regine....that's an awesome link...just what I needed! :O)
Thank you!

I have them in my bedroom on the dresser in a bright east facing window...so I think they will be happy as long as I keep them fed....it stays a little warm in my room during the day right now.

I don't know what I'd do without this forum! :O)
garyfla_gw
15 years ago
Hi
You made the first error of orchid selection lol. Be sure you know the variety and if it's a hybrid. There are thousand of kinds growing in almost any environment you can name so culture VARIES wildly.
My guess would be a hybrid Spathoglottis plicata mainly due to the growth habit and flower color.
I'd bet 3 to one it was GH cultured so check with the nursery that supplid it to HD. Most carry extensive websites and you'll get a positive I.D. at least to the genus. At least you'll be able to eliminate that which it is not. You can bet that it's not something the nursury is not growing>lol I use this method a lot when shopping at the box stores. Love the tags that say "6 inch tropical"
or "Delightful house plant",don't bother asking the clerks they have enough problem with the price.lol
If you get into orchids be SURE to get a positive I.D on any purchase . This info is essential when researching and if you decide to show. Way more important than other families due to the MANY kinds. gary