How to Grow Nun's Orchids From Seed
The nun's orchid, or Phaius tankervilliae, is a type of orchid known for its hood-like flowers. The nun's orchid is native to China, and was introduced to the U.S. in the 18th century. Since then, it has become a popular decorative plant in many parts of the U.S. because of its adaptibility in different environments and its ease of care. Nun's orchids do best in sunny climates where shade is available during the midday hours. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Nun's orchid seeds
- Potting soil
- Well rotted organic compost
- Peat
- Water
- Slow-release fertlizer
- Fish emultion
Instructions
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Locate an area in your lawn or garden which is shaded during the hottest hours of the day. The area should be higher than the rest of the lawn or garden in order to prevent flooding.
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Mix organic material such as well-rotted compost and peat into store-bought potting soil. The mixture should contain about 70 percent organic material and 30 percent potting soil.
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Work this mixture into the area of soil where you will plant the nun's orchid. The ideal soil pH for the nun's orchid is 5.5 to 6.3.
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Place the nun's orchid seeds in the soil mixture about 2 inches below the surface and firmly pack the soil on top of them. Make sure that the seeds are planted at least 4 to 5 inches apart to give each seed enough room for root development.
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Water the area about three to five times a week, keeping the soil evenly moist, not overly dry or soggy. Once the orchids begin to emerge from the ground, allow the top layer of soil to dry out before re-watering.
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Add slow-release fertilizer to the soil every three months as the orchids grow.
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Add fish emultion (available at most home and garden centers) to the soil every two weeks until the orchid is fully grown.
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Cover the orchid with a sheet or transfer it to a flower pot and bring it inside if temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent it from freeze damage.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
