Phaius

Phaius tankervilleae
Phaius tankervilleae
This attracive  and easy-to grow species cultivated all over the world. The large ornamental plicate leaves provide  greenery throughout the year. It can be grown fully exposed to the sun, but better foliage results when grown in 25-30 percent shade. It flowers in April - May.
 FAY-us
Etymology: Gr  phaios, dark, refering to the dark flower color of the first species described
Tribe Arethuseae
Subtribe Bletiinae

A genus of about 50, usually terrestrial species distributed from Africa through India, southeast Asia and China to the Pacific islands. The popularity of this genus is attributable to the often large and handsome flowers as well as to ease of cultivation. Closely allied to Calanthe, it differs in having a lip that is attached to the base of the column. Pseudobulbs are usually large, thick, and clustered with large and distinctly veined leaves. Tall racemes of showy flowers are erect and arise from the base of the pseudobulbs. All species have eight pollinia.

The plants are notable for their leaves as well as flowers, since they may become 3 feet tall and add a tropical touch to a greenhouse or to a garden in a warm climate.
 
Temperature
Intermediate to warm temperatures suit the Phaius the best. In the winter it grows well if it is given temperatures of 65º to 75º F in the daytime and 55º to 60º F at night; in summer, if kept moist and shaded, it adjusts to higher temperatures.

Light
Shading of about 25-30 percent prevents leaves from burning and promotes sturdy flower-spikes.
Provide filtered sunlight or 1,000 to 1,500 foot-candles of artificial light for 14 to 16 hours daily, with humidity of 40 to 60 percent or higher.

Watering
This terrestrial plant requires liberal watering with good drainage.

Fertilizer
Phaius require heavy feeding during the growing season from April through August, but a rest after October for two months for best flowering.
Fertilize the plants at every third watering with a balanced Orchid fertilizer, such as 18-18-18, dilute to half the strength recommended on the label.

Potting
Grow these plants in humus-rich compost supplemented with well-decomposed cow manure, chopped tree-fern fiber,  and polystyrene granules for good drainage.
Good recipe is to pot plants in a mixture of 2 parts coarse peat moss, 2 part sandy loam and 1 part each perlite and fine bark. Repot Phaius orchids every two or three years. To propagate additional plants, divide plants at the end of a growing season so that you can place at least three pseudobulbs in each pot.
What potting media are used at Kew (The Royal Orchid Collection)

Phaius flavus
Phaius flavus

One of the loveliest in the genus, this species from Nepal, through southeast Asia and New Guinea, is readily identified by the large leaves with yellow spots and blotches. The stout, angular pseudobulbs carry tall spikes of fragrant, long-lived flowers of deep sulfur-yellow with a warm brown to reddish brown band on the lip margins. It requires an intermediate climate and flowers during April-May.