Orchidland Orchids. Propagate?

[Mitzi M]

Bamboo orchids do have very pretty flowers, but as for the rest of the plant...to me it looks kind of weedy, especially when the blossoms are spent. Indeed, it is a weed pest in Hawai'i, reproducing by wind blown seeds. If you plant a few, you (and the neighbors) will probably soon have many, many more. Another naturalized ground orchid here is the Philippine ground orchid - which is also a weed, but needs more moisture than the bamboo orchid, so its more invasive in wetter spots. These also reproduce from seed, and so your little potted one might soon fill the neighborhood with keikis (if they're not already there!) My personal favorite naturalized ground orchid is the nun's cap (Phaius tankervilleae) which produces many fragrant and lovely, purple and white flowers on a 3-4' tall spike. The nun's cap needs moisture, some soil and a good amount of shade. It's less common than the other 2. If you planted it in your yard, you could conceivably cut the flower stalks before they set seed,(they flower once a year) leaving more energy for the plant, and preventing it from spreading into wild areas.

http://www.hilozoo.com/plants/PE_torchids.htm

All 3 of these ground orchids are so ubiquitous because they produce large amounts of wind borne seeds. Even though there are already a kazillion of them here, I believe its always worth the effort to keep what you plant from adding to the problem. There are many other, even showier orchids that can be used in the landscape just as easily, which have much lower potentials to become invasive. Check out Matias at Maccu'u market on Sundays, and (I think) at a kiosk in Prince Kuhio Mall on Thursdays. His nursery, Wonderful Orchids, is fantastic, and he is so knowledgeable! If you're anything like me, I bet you won't be able to leave empty handed!

Aloha,
Mitzi




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