Dendrophylax fawcettii

This closely related species to the famous Dendrophylax lindenii  is on the easier side to grow and has thin white blooms with long spurs and an apple fragrance.

Dendrophylax fawcettii is endemic to the Caribbean Sea, with the genus comprising about 17 species. But this particular plant is now on the endangered list in the Cayman Islands. The report notes that the ghost orchid (Dendrophylax fawcettii) is found in this last “remaining fragment of old-growth forest” on Grand Cayman and is surrounded by urban development. The forest extends just 46 acres and the orchids are confined to an area of only six of those acres.

This orchid is endemic to three Greater Antillean islands – Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, and the United States in south Florida. The plant consists of a greatly reduced stem and the leaves have been reduced to scales, the roots are used for moisture absorption and their chloroplasts for photosynthesis. The outer layer, the velamen, takes care of acquiring the nutrients and the water uptake. It also protects the inner layers.

We give this a culture of moderate light, warm temperatures with high humidity. These plants tend to keiki and can be twisted off its mother if it reaches roots of about 5 inches then it can live on its own.

PLEASE BE ADVISED! These plants are slow growing, and are difficult to grow!

Ghost orchids are not for beginners and really not suitable as gift plants unless you are sure the recipient is capable of growing this plant. These plants need pure water like rain, distilled or reverse osmosis. High humidity is a must.

We cannot guarantee these plants as once they leave our nursery, we have no control over temperatures and/or how they are being grown, watered, fertilized, etc.

Culture recommendations:
There is an excellent article written by Keith Davis for the American Orchid Society about his experience with growing ghost orchids. We highly recommend reading this article: click here

From our experience, these Ghost Orchid Dendrophylax plants need good humidity and daily watering to survive. Studies have shown that hickory bark or Florida buttonwood (this is the tree this species grows on in nature) is one of the best materials you can use but we have grown ours well on cork slabs and on the outside of either clay pots or broken clay pot shards. In addition, Spanish moss (Tillandsia usenoides) should also be draped over the root system. About 30 to 40 percent of the root system should be covered with the Spanish moss. There are a number of videos on YouTube about how to grow dendrophylax plants with some interesting solutions for a home grower.

Dendrophylax plants like to be misted daily and like bright light from an east, south or west window. Application of orchid fertilizer is recommended but should be done at a very low dosage. 1/4 strength of the recommended dosage will work. We recommend light fertilizing each time you water or every other time you water. You can mist or flush the plant with pure water first and then mist with a light fertilizer solution. The dendrophylax ghost orchids offered are well established on cork slabs.