Phaius flavus

Also known as: Yellow Flowered Phaius or Phaius somae Phaius flavus f. punctatus Phaius undulatomarginatus Phaius minor f. punctatus Phaius undulatomarginata Phaius flavus var. papuanus Phaius flavus h.f. albus Bletia woodfordii Phaius platychilus Phaius crispus Phaius linearifolius Phaius celebicus Phaius bracteosus Limodorum flavum Phaius flexuosus Phaius somai Phaius maculatus Phaius woodfordii Phaius minor Hecabe lutea Limodorum crispum in Japan Ganzeki-ran in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: China India Japan Thailand

General Information

Yellow Flowered Phaius is a medium sized sympodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to China, India, Japan, and Thailand.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Each new growth has numerous lance shaped leaves that grow to 30-50cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 10-15cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Care Notes

These orchids have a fine root system that can quickly die back if left dry for too long, but also does not like to be kept wet, so water regularly but ensure that the mix is dry before watering. 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 8mm to 292mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 58% to 83%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 8C to 30C, highest in April (18C to 30C) and lowest in January (8C to 23C).

Fertiliser

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. This plant is sensitive so apply fertiliser sparingly at one quarter recommended strength or less.

Potting

These plants can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well. Repotting is best done after the growing season when the plant has died back.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.