How to grow Calanthe orchids: deciduous and evergreen types!

This week Plant Lovers I received a division of a terrestrial Calanthe orchid and thought it might be a good reason to check up on my other Calanthe orchids, explore the two main types: deciduous and evergreen, and pot up my new one! These orchids are very easy to grow and get to flower - well, the evergreen ones are! But they do have completely different potting needs to most other orchids! We'll also go on a little field trip to tropical Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef where I spotted the native Calanthe growing. The orchids we look at in this video are:
Calanthe aristulifera - quite a rare slow grower from Japan
Calanthe australasica - the native Calanthe I saw growing in the wild
Calanthe discolor - the more common very widely spread Calanthe
Calanthe cardioglossa - a warm growing deciduous type
UPDATE: some clever viewers have pointed out that the orchid I spotted growing is moist likely Geodorum pictum!

[@EFA512]

Thanks for showing us those beautiful Calanthe's! And the Great Barrier Reef, I've always wanted to visit..maybe on day (bucket list) And i hope your move goes well, lift with the legs, lol!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@PlantVisionz]

great tip on how to grow this genus in your area

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@patsfreund9164]

Enjoyed your .video. FYI....the latest edition of the AOS Magazine has an article the Prasophyllum orchids of S.W. Australia.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@garyknight3019]

Not sure about that Calanthe you spotted at Hamilton island it looks very much like Geodorum densiflorum (Geodorum pictum) I could be wrong but any of the Calanthe I have seen up that way grow in wet rainforest beside streams as you say. Whereas Geodorum grow in more open woodland and flowers with the spike like a shepherd’s hook and as the seed pods come the spike straightens up just like the plant you observed. They are very easy to grow and seeds readily germinate in the leaf litter where they grow. Without seeing it in flower I couldn’t be sure.

[@Bulbophyllum69]

Agree. Being on Hamo would definitely be Geodorum densiflorum. It is very common in the Whitsundays. Calanthe triplicata occurs more in heavy duty rainforest habitats. For example at Eugella in the Mackay hinterland.

[@helloplantlovers]

There you are! Thank you!

[@christinenorton2510]

Great video, helpful information.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@carolesykes7955]

As usual, a very enjoyable and interesting video thank you 😊. Those leaves will take at least a year to break down into something the plants can use but if you collect them into a non porous bag, put a few holes in the bottom for the drainage and water them a little it will break down into lovely leaf mould which will improve the media for all your terrestrial types. You can take the bag when you move 🙂

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@venehamilton7010]

Thanks for sharing.

[@sabikeralasafarabi2103]

🥰❤️🥰❤️🥰

[@patriciadumas-simon3348]

What type of climate do you have. I live in the tropics

[@helloplantlovers]

Wet Mediterranean - Australia doesn't have a zonal system.

[@loganjeffrey4136]

You should grow calanthe rosea

[@helloplantlovers]

Quite hard to find Calanthe in Australia!

[@sandiesorchids9387]

Mathew, you have been renovating your home for 2 or 3 years are you rebuilding it or when will it be ready for you to move in? Just curious that's all.

[@helloplantlovers]

It has taken THREE years to even get started! MUCH red tape. But it's on its way and should be completed NEXT Septemeber!