Not only is the Phaius Nun orchid one of the prettiest flowering plants you can look at, but it’s also one of the easiest to grow and maintain orchids for home gardens. Luckily, their highly attractive appearance doesn’t take away from their hardiness; they’re quite an adaptable species.
The Phaius Nun orchid belongs to the plant genus Phaius, where it’s known as Phaius tankervilliae or Phaius tankervilleae. It got this name in reference to Lady Tankerville; the owner of the greenhouse that witnessed the flowering of the first orchid. The Phaius Nun was also England’s very first tropical orchid to flower.
Pronounced (FAY-ee-us) (tan-kar-VIL-ee-ay), Phaius is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Orchidaceae. These herbs are evergreen, terrestrial, and perennial. They produce crowded clumps of big, pleated leaves and often colorful, relatively large flowers.
The Phaius nun orchid goes by many common including the following:
- Greater swamp orchid
- Veiled orchid
- Swamp lily
- Nun’s hood orchid
- Lady Tankerville’s swamp orchid
- Nun’s orchid
- Swamp orchid
There are about 50 species of Phaius orchid plants, the tankervilleae is native to areas of Asia and Oceania. The nun’s orchid has been introduced to North America, Central America, Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean.
The Phaius nun orchid plant originally arrived from China to the United States during the 18th century. It got its name in reference to the curve of the upper sepal and sepals that are colored white on the back, making it look like a nun’s cap.
Under the right conditions, you can grow these beautiful flowers at home. The tankervilliae, along with its hybrids, have a great chance of successful growth indoors.
Phaius Nun Orchid Care
Size & Growth
You can grow the Phaius nun orchid any time of the year in containers indoors or outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9A-11.
The large, palm-like foliage of the nun orchid includes individual leaves that can grow as long as 2’ or 3’ feet and as wide as 5” or 6” inches. These flowering plants grow upright and compact.
The nun orchid’s flower spikes, on the other hand, can grow as tall as 4’ feet, which means they need some decent space on your window.
Flowering and Fragrance
Phaius nun orchids form a few big, slim pleated leaves that can reach a height of up to 3’ feet. The flower cluster comes from a pseudobulb or a rhizome. Growing on stalks, these flashy, fragrant flowers have a single file arrangement that runs across an upright 4’ foot branch.
The nun’s orchid’s individual flowers are relatively large (up to 5” inches wide) and have a brownish orange with a bright purplish-pink lip. Experts believe that the flowers develop with the reduction of daylight hours, mostly from late winter to early spring.
Each inflorescence blooms over a maximum period of 6 weeks and lasts for about 30 days.
Light & Temperature
The Phaius nun orchid requires indirect light in a shady location, so place your plant somewhere where it’ll receive partial shade throughout the hottest period of the day. Make sure this spot isn’t subjected to flooding and accommodates vigorous development of roots.
Phaius nun orchids can endure temperatures as cold as 35° degrees Fahrenheit, but it’s best to bring the plant inside if the temperature falls below 40° degrees Fahrenheit and put it close to a sunny window.
Watering and Feeding
The terrestrial nun’s orchid requires more moisture compared to other orchids, so keep the soil moderately moist without soaking. Don’t wet the leaves because they’re prone to rotting, and water infrequently in the winter.
For feeding, apply a balanced orchid fertilizer during the active growth period every 3rd watering. Don’t fertilize in winter.
Soil & Transplanting
The soil for planting a nun’s orchid should be well-drained and enriched with generous amounts of organic matter such as compost, pine bark, and peat moss. Remember, don’t pat down the potting mix and just keep it loose.
Grooming And Maintenance
Nun’s orchids don’t require any special grooming except for removing old dead leaves and trimming spikes.
How To Propagate Phaius Nun Orchid
You can easily propagate the Phaius nun orchid by dividing mature plants after they’re done flowering. Simply cut the rhizome using a sharp knife, where each piece ends up with at least a couple of pseudobulb shoots and a few roots intact.
Phaius Nun Orchid Pests Or Diseases
Similar to most flowering plants, the Phaius nun orchid may experience insect problems such as aphids and borers. Additionally, overwatering can cause root rot.
Suggested Phaius Nun Orchid Uses
The Phaius nun orchid makes for a wonderful ornamental plant. Besides that, this flower is used in Chinese folk medicine in the form of tea (accompanied by other types of orchids) for boosting the immune system, fighting bacteria, and enhancing eyesight.