The Orchid Garden

Florida Ghost Orchid

Question:

This orchid can be found in growing in the Fakahatchee Strand on the west side of the evergaldes growing on things like pop ash just above the waterline, probably not more than 2 ft. above the usual high water line. In this way it always has sufficient moisture and humidity.  It is found in dim areas like this on other trees as well, but I am not where my references are to be able to look this up. The Fakahatchee is a very dangerous place and it is not reccommended to venture into it without a knowlegable guide. I found one website that may be of interest to you:         http://www5.palmnet.net/~clifp/articles/july96.htm HTH, Paul University of South Florida       Bayboro Campus                   "Time wounds all heels." -Frank Case St. Petersburg                        ("Tales of a Wayward Inn") Florida                           – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Could anyone give recommendations for the care of the Florida Ghost Orchid? Also,  what is the botannical name?  Thanks! Melts  

Response:

Could anyone give recommendations for the care of the Florida Ghost Orchid? Also,  what is the botannical name?  Thanks! Melts  

Response:

Could anyone give recommendations for the care of the Florida Ghost Orchid? Also,  what is the botannical name?  Thanks! Melts

don;t know the care, but the name is Polyradicion/Polyrrhiza lindenii         JAmes

Response:

Could anyone give recommendations for the care of the Florida Ghost Orchid? Also,  what is the botannical name?  Thanks!  

        Ah, Polyrrhiza lindenii. What a spectacular plant! http://www.wacahoota.com/pages/page36.html http://www5.palmnet.net/~cliffp/polyrr_p.jpg         The state of Florida calls it "endangered," and it’s on CITES Appendix II (as are most orchids- the few that aren’t are covered under Appendix I, which supposedly gives them greater protection).         Anyway. It’s an incredible plant, and I’ve never been able to grow it well. That having been said, I’ll give advice as to how to grow it. Perhaps if you do the opposite, you’ll do well with it!         In the wild, P. lindenii grows in dense shade, with lots of moisture. The moisture is critical: as the plant is a true leafless orchid, there are no storage organs for water. Thus, prolonged desiccation is death. Misting several times a day would be very helpful to successfully growing this species; I have never been able to keep up this level (except as below).         It doesn’t require a lot of light; I’d grow it similar to phrags and paphs.         I received a flask of seedlings from Mick (Husky Boy Improvements), and they were so tiny that I replated most of them. Now they’re huge! They’re all just balls of roots, but they are doing very well, which I can attribute to the availability of water which (again) seems key to the proper cultivation of this species.         Some have decided the correct name should be Polyradicion lindenii, but this may be old. I know Correll’s work lists both names, but I’ve not heard anyone call it Polyradicion, just read it.         One other note on Correll’s work; there is about a page or two on this species (my copy is out on loan right now), which passingly mentions that it was once considered as a corsage orchid, due to its long cut flower life. Go figure.         My suggestion: plaque it on cork, stick it near a mister. Set mister on automatic timer for 4-8 times per day, and let it go. Give it a little sun, but not too much (eastern exposure on a log would do nicely- let the roots grow where they will). Give it nice, soft water and plenty of circulating air.         -AJHicks         Orchid Seedbank Project         Socorro, NM

Response:

Filed under: Orchid Flower

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