Vivi's Orchid Corner

June 2004 - Volume 9, Issue 5

The 8 Year Schomburgkia

Dear Orchid Friends:

Thrilled! Elated! My Schomburgkia finally bloomed. I purchased this bare root orchid nearly 8 years ago. Today is its FIRST Bloom. It is called Schomburgkia tibicinis.

Schomburgkias are members of the Cattleyas Alliance, subtribe Laelinnae. These warm loving orchids grow in south Florida, Cost Rica, Cuba, Jamaica: Central & South American and the Caribbean. Schomburgkias are intensely light tolerant - much more than cattleyas. Schomburgkias act as symbiotic hosts, one of their distinguishing characteristics. They serve as hosts and habitats for ants. Ants burrow at the base of the large hollow pseudobulbs and take up residence. Thus, it may be better to mount these orchids on your trees.

Schomburgkias grow into significant specimens. The hollowed, tapered pseudobulbs have a cane-like appearance (much like bamboo) and are tapered tubular shape, yellow in color. Pseudobulbs vary in size and thickness; they can grow to 12-24 inches (15-28 cm.) and 4" (8cm.) in diameter. Schomburgkias develop 2-3 leaves at the end of the pseudobulb. Leaves are thick

Schomburgkias generally bloom in summer and prefer intense direct sunlight. Schomburgkias develop huge flower stalks - some varieties grow 5-10 feet (60-120cm.) in length. Allow these plants room to grow. Flowers are borne at the end of the flower stalk as clusters of 6-10 individual flowers. Flowers have substance and distinctive twisted petals and sepals (think Den. cochliodes) and a wavy, waxy lip. Flower colors vary: yellow/brown to coral/purple.

My Schomburgkia tibicinis has pseudobulbs 12-16 inches (16-20 cm.) with a 4 foot flower spike. Flowers are yellow with brown markings.

Since this orchid is mounted on a palmetto tree, it receives water and sunlight as provided by Mother Nature. It is rarely hand-watered.

I am delighted this Schomburgkia has finally bloomed. I did not realize they were so slow to produce flowers... or maybe it is because I left them to their own.

Do be aware they harbor ants so place them strategically in your yard. Some growers have luck growing them in pots. I never attempted this endeavor, but perhaps you have the knack. Look fort the summer beauties!

Until next time,

Vivi