The Nun Orchid

The genus Phaius, also known as the nun orchid, although not one of the treasured 'commercials,' is satisfactory and easy to grow.

The plant is terrestrial and epiphytic, handsomely ornamental, and usually pseudo bulbous. It has large fine leaves from the midst of which rise tall, erect stems bearing large, showy flowers.

The coloring is odd with the frequent combination of white and yellow, while the outside of the petals, sepals, and lip is white. Phaius crosses readily with Calanthe. An intermediate house serves.

Description of the Nun Orchid:

Phaius Cooksonii. (P. Wallichi x P. tuberculosus). Handsome hybrid. P. grandifolius, called by Schlechter from Bletchly 'P. Tankervilliae.

Habitat China of the nun orchid:
Malay Peninsula, Australia. Blooms May to July. Flowers showy, chocolate-brown inside, white outside; lip curled or trumpet-shaped, long, white, with crimson lines leading into the yellow throat. P. grandifolius var. superbus. Inside of the petals and sepals a brilliant chamois; lip bright amaranth, margined with rose. P. Humblotti.

Habitat Madagascar of the nun orchid.
Blooms June to July. Flowers large, rosy, showy; lip not tubular, but open and winged, with spreading basal lobe and white center, startlingly red. P. maculatus, also called flaws. Habitat China, Australia, Malay. Blooms April to May.

Large pseudobulbs; leaves dark green, flecked with yellow.
Bears ten to twelve flowers, yellow with chocolate-brown rolled lip. P. tuberculosus. Habitat Madagascar. Blooms May to June, according to Schlechter; winter, according to Sanders. Odd tubular lip gives name.

Flowers large, up to 2% inches across; white sepals and broad white petals; lip yellow, spotted dark rose. P. Wallichi (wall'eech-i). Habitat Ceylon, India. Blooms various times. Flowers typical, white outside, orange-yellow, or buff; flushed amethyst inside.

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