Copyright 2002
The genus Sarcochilus is comprised of some 15 mainly Australian species. The name Sarcochilus is derived from the Greek sarcos (fleshy) and cheilos (lip).These are small vandaceous plants but some can form keikis and hence large clumps with age making them tempting subjects for specimen culture. Flower color is quite variable across the species from pure white in Sarco. falcatus to white and red with Sarco. fitzgeraldii. The more showy species such as Sarco. falcatus, fitzgeraldii and hartmannii have been subjected to heavy collecting pressure in the past. Orange blossom-scented Sarco. falcatus is a humid forest epiphtyte while Sarco. fitzgeraldii and Sarco. hartmannii are primarily lithophytic. These three species have been successfully hybridized to produce rounder flowers with patterns to being entirely cherry red. Hybridization with a warmer growing and differently coloured species, Sarco. australis with its olive to greenish blooms, has given us some unusual sunset shades. This species is very challenging to cultivate successfully but hybrids are quite vigorous. A more comprehensive presentation on the genus and selected hybrids may be found at Florafest Orchids in Australia.
Some favorite hybrids include Sarco. Fitzhart (hartmannii x fitzgeraldii), Sarco. Tin Yin Lara (Melody x fitzgeraldii), Sarco. Southern Cross (hartmannii x australis) and Sarco. Otways Sunset (Fitzhart x australis). All are easy to grow but the australis hybrids are also precocious bloomers. Grow Sarcos in shallow clay pots, baskets or mounted in the case of epiphytic species. They respond to high humidity, good air movement and cool to intermediate temperatures. Although warmer temperatures are tolerated, a majority Sarcos really prefer coolish conditions. Smaller plants and seedlings can be planted in a mixture of medium bark and moss whereas mature plants are better suited to coarse potting materials.
The genus Spiranthes gets its name from the spiral form
of the inflorescence. Ladies Tresses is a common name used to
describe the North American species such as Spir. casei
(Case's Ladies Tresses), Spir. cernua (Autumn Ladies Tresses),
and Spir. romanzoffiana (Romanzoff's Ladies Tresses). This
terrestrial orchid genus is represented in both temperate and
tropical regions, from the temperate Americas and Europe to temperate
and tropical Asia. In North America, we find some 15 to 20 species,
many of which are now being re-addressed taxonomically. A rosette
of leaves precedes flowering in most species but may be completely
absent once the flowers appear. The roots are long, finger-like
and tuberous. A few Spiranthes are cultivated for their colorful
flowers (S. sinsensis) or for their fragrant blooms (S.
odorata) but most are admired for their diversity to their
native habitats. Cultivation techniques must be guided by the
particular species and how it grows.
Discussion Begins:
MarilyninOttawa
Let's start this discussion with Sarcochilus. The genus Sarcochilus
is comprised of some 15 mainly Australian species. The name Sarcochilus
is derived from the Greek sarcos (fleshy) and cheilos (lip). These
are small vandaceous plants but some can form keikis and hence
large clumps with age making them tempting subjects for specimen
culture. Leaves of most species are long, narrow, sickle-shaped
and glossy, arranged in alternating pairs along gently curving
to pendant stems. I grow a wide variety of species and hybrids.
They are really liking our spring weather as it is coolish, quite
humid, and with lots of refreshing rain. A welcome relief I am
certain from months growing under lights.
Pink-flowered Sarco. ceciliae has a more upright habit. Roots are like those of Phalaenopsis, that is, thickened, long and meandering out of the container on occasion. Plants can bloom year round but more often flower in the winter/spring in North America. Flower color is quite variable across the species from pure white/yellow lip in Sarco. falcatus to white and red with Sarco. fitzgeraldii. Sarcochilus hartmannii
Sarcochilus plants grow over a wide range of conditions in the wild. They could cling to rocks over a gorge or waterfall, or exist in seasonally humid forest. Humidity and day/night temperature differential is probably more important than absolute temperature. They are presently responding as a group to 50F nights and 70-75F days. Although they grow in exposed areas in the wild, they likely are sheltered from direct overhead sun according to their preferred position on the growing surface. I prod mine with 3000 ft candles.
Here is Sarco. hartmannii . You will note that this flower has a nice round shape and good contrasting color in the center but it is a line bred selected clone.
The more showy species such as Sarco. falcatus, fitzgeraldii and hartmannii have been subjected to heavy collecting pressure in the past. Sarco. weinthalii is likewise attractive when in bloom, having pale green to white blooms heavily marked reddish purple. Sarco. dilatatus, fitzgeraldii, hartmannii and weinthalii are all categorized as VULNERABLE in Australia.
Orange blossom-scented Sarco. falcatus is a humid forest epiphtyte while Sarco. fitzgeraldii and Sarco. hartmannii are primarily lithophytic. These three species have been successfully hybridized to produce rounder flowers with patterns to being entirely cherry red.
I am really excited by the redder blooms which I find are more colorful when the temperatures are cooler. Here is one of my favorites. Sarcochilus Tin Yin Lara (Melody x fitzgeraldii)
Hybridization with a warmer growing and/or differently coloured or marked species such as with olive-brown colored Sarco. australis has given us some unusual sunset shades. This species is very challenging to cultivate successfully but hybrids are quite vigorous and fragrant too!
A more comprehensive presentation on the genus and selected hybrids used to be found at Florafest Orchids in Australia. I suggest that you bookmark the Florafest presentation for later reading. There is a lot of material.
Some favorite hybrids include Sarco. Fitzhart (hartmannii x fitzgeraldii), Sarco. Tin Yin Lara (Melody x fitzgeraldii), Sarco. Southern Cross (hartmannii x australis) and Sarco. Otways Sunset (Fitzhart x australis). All are easy to grow but the australis hybrids are also precocious bloomers. Sarcochilus flowers may close at night, something to be aware of if planning to take a photo of your favorite orchid.
Here is a picture of an older hybrid registered in 1963. Sarcochilus
Fitzhart (fitzgeraldii x
hartmannii) Take heart! The Fitzhart image is very similar (but
a better shape) than the hartmannii.
Sarcochilus Southern Cross (hartmannii x australis) is a variable hybrid. Plants are smallish, foliage is dark reddish green and flowers range from ivory to rust and are fragrant. The longish lip is from the australis parent.
You can see why an under-lights growers appreciates these compact vandaceous plants.
Sarcochilus Otways Sunset (Fitzhart x australis) is a second generation australis hybrid that is even more variable in color. Flowers are a bit larger and more full.
John_in_Arcadia_CA
Hybrids are easier to grow than the species? Hybrid vigor? I quickly
killed my hartmanii.
MarilyninOttawa
Hybrids, especially primary hybrids are often more vigorous than
one or both parents. This can be because of deleterious genes
being diluted through the mating or other factors.
John_in_Arcadia_CA
In that case I might try again. I really like the color combinations
and the small size of the plants.
MarilyninOttawa
The cherry reds and sunset shades are tempting, I agree.
Grow Sarcos in shallow clay pots, baskets or mounted in the case of epiphytic species. They respond well to bright but diffuse light, excellent drainage, high humidity, good air movement and cool to intermediate temperatures. Although warmer temperatures are tolerated, a majority Sarcos really seem to prefer coolish conditions (15-20 °C / 60-70 °F).
They grow best for me in spring and fall when weather is most agreeable. They likewise respond to a generous drenching of rain or monthly flushing with deionized water. Smaller plants and seedlings can be planted in a mixture of medium bark and moss whereas mature plants are better suited to coarse potting materials.
Sarcochilus can be challenging to grow if the balance of humidity and temperature are not right. Please remember that these are epiphytes or lithophytes in nature, They grow where there is very good air circulation and perfect drainage. Stagnant air can lead to injurious rots taking hold.
MarilyninOttawa
Now we will move on to Spiranthes.
The genus Spiranthes gets its name from the spiral form of the inflorescence. Ladies Tresses is a common name used to describe the North American species such as Spir. caseii (Case's Ladies Tresses), Spir. cernua (Autumn Ladies Tresses), and Spir. romanzoffiana (Romanzoff's Ladies Tresses). Flowers can be delicate, almost like fine lace with petals a couple of cells thick. Spiranthes lacera
Spiranthes casei grows only where there is sandstone.
Spiranthes cernua often grows in abandoned sand pits.
Flower size and shape can be quite variable so it is challenging to be certain which species is which. Spiranthes romanzoffiana (L) and S. cernua (R)
N_Calif_Kathy
Marilyn, is the crystalline texture meant to reflect light (heat)
or attract a pollinator?
MarilyninOttawa
Many Spiranthes flowers are scented. They attract bees. I suspect
that the delicate flowers
are not so delicate when their surface reflects sunlight and hence
keeps the flowers cool. Most Spiranthes flowers are mainly white
to ivory but some have a contrasting yellow or green throat/lip
patch. Spiranthes sinensis is rosy pink.
This terrestrial orchid genus is represented in both temperate and tropical regions, from the temperate Americas and Europe to temperate and tropical Asia. In North America, we find some 15 to 20 species, many of which are now being re-addressed taxonomically.
A rosette of leaves precedes flowering in most species but may be completely absent once the flowers appear. The roots are long, finger-like and tuberous. Plants grow in waste places, gravel pits, on sandy places and along riverbanks. Populations can quickly reach 1000's of plants but just as quickly disappear from the same site.
pecteilis_in_KY
Bog orchids.
CJ_Orchidflowerchild
Not necessarily. Often in pastureland... I recently saw a stunning
population of 3,000+ S. vernalis in bloom... Looked
like little bits of snow all over.
MarilyninOttawa
I have never seen vernalis but know what you mean.
A ditch full of S. cernua catching the sunlight
is a thing of beauty.
This plant of Schiedeella flavigula, a close relative of Spiranthes has been dug and cleaned to show the many finger-like tuberous roots that are common in Spiranthes. Sometimes plantlets develop at tuber tips.
N_Calif_Kathy
These tubers don't 'lay over' during bad seasons? Drought etc?
Then suddenly blammo, a ton o' Spiranthes appear?
skip
The roots are very much like daylilies
MarilyninOttawa
There may be some layover but it seems that in some species, plants
are fairly short-lived. In the southwest and into Mexico, tubers
are definitely needed to carry a plant from season to season through
prolonged dry spells.
Investigations with Spiranthes cernua have revealed that the inflorescence and developing fruits forms an important photosynthetic organ for the plant. Fruiting inflorescences of Spir. romanzoffiana contain very few seeds but may play a role in photosynthesis for the plants.
Another interesting aspect of their biology is that the plants can reproduce apomictically, giving rise to embryos produced without the need for fertilization. Pollen is produced but frequently we find that the pollen grains do not germinate. Pollinia of S. romanzoffiana
N_Calif_Kathy
Doesn't seem to be very good for the next generation, does it?
Might make individuals but if their pollen is poor... ?
MarilyninOttawa
This is a good question Kathy. Certainly we can argue that apomixis
is a mechanism to get around infrequent pollinator visits. It
could be that certain populations become isolated and in bred
such that various reproductive challenges arise.
N_Calif_Kathy
Marilyn, or maybe the one or two that make it are enough to get
the species over the lack of pollinators and into better times?
Orchidglade
How comprehensive a group are you considering for Spiranthes?
Stenorhynchis speciosa is large and deep red.
MarilyninOttawa
Stenorhynchos is no longer considered a member of the genus Spiranthes.
MarilyninOttawa
A few Spiranthes are cultivated for their colorful flowers (S.
sinsensis) or for their fragrant blooms (S. odorata)
but most are admired for their diversity to their native habitats.
Cultivation techniques must be guided by the particular species
and how it grows.
CJ_Orchidflowerchild
Small side note, S. vernalis is distinguished, at
least amongst native Texan Spiranthes spp, by the hair that covers
the entire inflor. Actually, the specific SHAPE of the hairs...
They are pointed, as opposed to glandular or blunt.
S. lacinata is one of two species growing in our pastures on the NW side of Houston. The other is vernalis. Blooming was poor this year, but I think the drought is to blame. Lacinata will not bloom till later.
I will check the population to see if any are still in bloom. I will say, of three capsules I dissected on sight, two were full of much seed, the other was probably not mature enough. Bees were visiting the flowers while I was there....
MarilyninOttawa
CJ. You could try removing some pollen from the S. vernalis flowers
and testing its germinability by placing a bit in a hanging drop
of 0.3 Molar sucrose. Place the drops on the undersurface of a
plastic petri dish lid and about 10 ml of the same solution in
the base. Cover and let stand. Examine every six hours directly
through the lid at 100x. Please feel free to contact me when you
are ready. We are working with S. cernua and romanzoffiana
here and have assisted those working with S. romanzoffiana
in Scotland. You will have to fill me in on the biology of those
two species.
Well, we are at the end of today's presentation.
-end
