Phaius tankervilleae
Swamp orchid, Nun's orchid
- Height × spread
- 0.4m × 0.3m
- Position
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Flowers
- Spring
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This stands up to 1.2 metres high when in flower with a showy spike that has short, horizontally held flowering stalks that hold the individual blooms. These have long enfolding petals, coloured pink tan. The long tubular labellum is coloured white with some purple inside the trumpet and on the rim. Each stem has up to 20 blooms. It is likely to flower during spring.
- Flower colour
- Pink, Purple, Rose
- Foliage colour
- Green, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Tolerates full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 5C & above (RHS H1c)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 15C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while the plant is in growth. The watering should be reduced as the leaves start to die. It should be kept just moist during its rest period (generally winter) and watering resumed when new growth starts.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with orchid feed
Use a standard orchid feed regularly at every third watering during summer, applying it as directed on the packet.
For specialist feeding, you can buy a group of orchid feeds. Apply a high nitrogen feed in spring as the plant is coming into growth, a balanced feed during growth, and a high potash feed in autumn.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
15C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 15 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.
Compost · Planting
Orchid compost for repotting
Use orchid compost designed for plants that are terrestrial, i.e. they grow in earth.
You can create your own using a mixture that includes equal measures of a coarse peat and grit with ten percent perliite and charcoal. Opinions vary on 'recipes' and if your interest develops, you can research the views of specialist growers.