Tiger Orchid Grammatophyllum Speciosum

[Mosha]

We have been given one of these beauties, but don't know how to nurture it. The locals just plonk them on the ground and surround the plant with loads of coconut husks. Anyone here know how to care for them please? All I know is they get big, and a mature one can gave upto 10,000 blooms. Also they only flower every 3 or 4 years.

[sbk]

From Wiki:

Grammatophyllum Blume, 1825 is a genus of 11 orchid species in tribe Cymbidieae, subtribe Cyrtopodiinae.

The name is derived from the Greek words 'gramma' (letter) and 'phyllon' (leaf), referring to the dark markings in the flower.

This epiphytic genus occurs in dense rainforest from Indo-China, to Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea, and SW Pacific islands.

The species produce several racemes, arising from the base of the pseudobulb, with many yellow-green to olive-green, waxy flowers with dark purplish-red marks. The pseudobulbs are enveloped by sheaths.

These are medium-sized to very large orchids, including the Giant Orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum), believed to be the largest orchid species in existence. Its pseudobulbs can grow to a length of 2.5 m. Plants can develop into gigantic clusters weighing from several hundred kilograms to one ton! The roots form spectacular bundles.

The more modest Bell Orchid (Grammatophyllum scriptum) is another well-known species, with pseudobulbs of 20cm, from which originate 3 to 4 stout leaves with a length of 1 m.

Grammatophyllum multiflorum is one of the longest-blooming orchids in existence: it can be in bloom for nine months. See also Dendrobium cuthbertsonii, whose flowers have been reported to last up to ten months each.

Grammatophyllum 'Tiger's paw' is a hybrid from G. elegans and G. fenzlianum.

Epiphytes do not grow in the ground, but usually attached to a tree.

Epiphyte grownunder cultivation conditions must drain freely. This means no free water should remain in the medium. Therefore potting soil or garden soil must not be used. The roots of Epiphyte require air around them at all times as they do in nature. The medium used by the majority of growers consists of composted pine bark pieces, obtainable from most Garden Centres or Nurseries as Orchid bark. This provides for air space between the bark pieces within the pot which, if watered regularly, remains damp but not wet. This will then provide just the conditions required for the orchid to grow. Other materials such as marble chips, polystyrene granules, perlite etc. can be added to the bark mixture.

source: heynes garden center website.

Here you can use shredded coconut fiber.

[Mosha]

A friend has 2 or 3 that are grown as I described, and are absolutely massive about 8'tall and easily as wide, although his ground is drier that ours. Thanks for the reply

Edited November 25, 2007 by Mosha