Growing ghost orchid outdoors in Miami?

10 years ago

Anyone have experience growing ghost orchid in South Florida outside? I live in an area that was higher elevation, either hammock or rockland. I have a native pond apple, mahogany, and a number of non-native trees in my yard. I was thinking of buying a legal licensed specimen (from DR I think) and transplanting to my pond apple. Anyone have tips or experiences doing so? I have lots of orchids growing fine on my other trees, though i know ghost orchid is very picky.

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Comments (7)

arthurm
10 years ago
This orchid is the stuff of dreams, books and movies. If it was easily "growable" most species nuts in the world would have one.
I was just thinking about what I would have to do to the glass-house where I grow Tolumnia Hybrids and various "Cattleyas" including several plants of Encyclia tampensis to copy The Ghost Orchid Habitat.
Increase the shading
Instal controlled heating and cooling.
Instal controlled misting system to keep humidity at the required level.
oF course, the Tolumnia and maybe the rest of the orchids would die.

This post was edited by arthurm on Wed, Nov 13, 13 at 2:42
garyfla_gw
10 years ago
Hi
Much is written about the habitat for them ..Maybe replicate that?? in dade county you should have a good shot at it?? gary
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whitecat8
10 years ago
One option is to contact your local orchid society. In case you're close to the Boca Raton Orchid Society: http://www.brosonline.org/. Other FL societies are here: http://www.orchidmall.com/society.htm

Of course... orchids insist on thriving where they're not supposed to, and vice versa, but info from these folks may help.

You said, "I was thinking of buying a legal licensed specimen (from DR I think) and transplanting to my pond apple." In Florida, can you get a legal plant from a specific organization? That would be cool.

You can find the Ghost Orchid online from at least one U.S. commercial orchid grower.

If you go online, look for Dendrophylax lindenii, the scientific name.

Botanica Ltd. - http://www.botanicaltd.com/index.HTM, has them from time to time, and Oak Hill Gardens has sold them for years. Right now, they're $20 each.

Best, WhiteCat8

Here is a link that might be useful: Dendrophylax lindenii, Oak Hill Gardens
terpguy
10 years ago
There are other leafless options as well that are easier to grow, if you're willing to compromise
User
10 years ago
I have grown my under shade cloth for a year now and it has bloomed. So as long as you can keep it moist and shady it should do just fine for you on a tree that will give it bright light no direct sun. I live just north of you in Sarasota which gets a little colder than Miami. You live closer to the natural habitat so the weather should be fine for year round growth on a tree. Good luck!
arthurm
10 years ago
I love the entry in Oak Hill gardens site ....those guys and gals who write the spiel in orchid catalogues are always super optimists. Nothing is difficult to grow except perhaps this one exception.
shavedmonkey (Harvey in South Fl.)Z10b
10 years ago
Anyone interested, in the December edition of the "Orchids Bulletin" there is a good article on ghost and leafless orchids. For what its worth....

Growing ghost orchid outdoors in Miami?

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arthurm

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