“Oh my! It’s finally growing a flower.”
“Perhaps two,” my friend pointed to another bud at the back of the plant. “It’s taken its time to show its beauty.”
“And it really lives up to its name,” I noted. “Holy Ghost orchid.”
“Also known as the flower of the Holy Spirit.” She pointed at the center of the flower. “It does look like a dove, doesn’t it? And it’s a rare orchid.”
“It must have cost a lot,” I said — before I could bite back my words. My friend had an amazing orchid collection, and I knew that some were quite pricey. Me? I’m content with the grocery store versions that fit my budget and add a little beauty to my indoor garden.
“It did.” She was not insulted. Rather, she beamed with pride that her orchid was standing up to its unusual name and appearance.
Description
The Holy Ghost orchid doesn’t have leaves. The plants are barely visible most of the year. Summer rains and humidity bring the orchid to life. It produces multiple spikes, buds, and blossoms.
The flowers, which bloom between July and October, emerge from the base of the bulb and can produce up to 12 marble-white blooms with purple spots and yellow anther and pistil. It’s the center of the flower that earns this orchid its name, as it appears to be a well-defined dove. Once the growing season comes to an end, the blossoms drop. It has a distinct aroma, similar to the smell of beer, and at night, its appearance is somewhat enchanting.
Common Names
The Holy Ghost orchid (Peristeria elata) or dove orchid is known as the flower of the Holy Spirit (in Spanish, La flor del Espiritu Santo). It stands to reason that it holds the name of dove orchid.
The other two names call to mind the natural habitat of this orchid: Central and northwestern South America, particularly Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador. These regional areas are strongly Catholic, and thus, any flower that looks like a white dove, could have a Christian association.
Natural Habitat
As well as Central and northwestern South America, Panama, Venezuela, and Ecuador, this orchid grows well in Costa Rica, Peru, and southern India. It thrives in the very humid mountain forests, primarily attaching itself at ground level to the moss-covered trunks of trees, usually at an elevation of 3500 feet above sea level.
This rare and endangered beauty is much revered in Panama, where it has the honor of being the Republic’s national flower since 1936. It is often used as a fancy cut flower for wedding ceremonies and flower festivals.
Growing Conditions and Care
The Holy Ghost orchid does well in indirect, but bright light. Younger seedlings prefer a low to medium light, but as the plant matures, the brighter light encourages more blooms. It requires consistent watering so keep roots moist; don’t allow them to dry out. Humidity is important to promote the blooms, and it thrives in nutrient-rich, fertilized soil. It doesn’t grow well indoors, preferring the outdoor light and humidity. Warm to hot conditions are preferable, usually in the 65 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit range.
And don’t forget patience. This rare beauty takes a lot of time and care as you wait and wait and wait for that wonderful moment when it finally produces a flower.
Propagation
The best way to propagate a Holy Ghost orchid is by division in the spring or autumn when the temperatures are comfortably cooler, and the climate conditions are more stable. It’s the best time, too, to promote stronger roots because the light intensity is less, which alleviates stress on the newly divided plants.
To divide a Holy Ghost orchid plant, first make sure that your cutting tools and work area are clean and sterilized. Then take the orchid from the pot and gently remove any of the looser medium that’s evident in the root system. Rinse the roots gently in lukewarm water. You will need to look for a natural division point (where a good portion of the roots and at least one pseudobulb are evident) as both divisions need a strong, healthy root system to support a new plant. With a sterilized cutting tool, make a clean cut through the rhizome that connects the pseudobulbs. Plant each new division in a separate pot filled with fresh orchid soil.
Water sparingly at first until the plant has settled into its new space and new growth appears. Fertilize the orchid every few weeks. Monitor the plant for pests and diseases to maintain a healthy orchid, and then be patient. The process is simple enough, but remember, this orchid may take several years to mature and produce flowers.
Transplanting
The time to transplant a Holy Ghost orchid is in the early spring before the temperatures get too hot. This is when the plant’s growth resumes, and the air is warm enough to protect the roots during the transplanting process. The transplanting process is the same for potted plants indoors and plants in the ground outside.
Choose the new location for the plant, ensuring the hole dimensions are at least twice the size of the root ball, but only the same depth as its original location. Once the site is chosen and dug in preparation, water the soil around the plant enough so that it’s damp for easy removal. Then carefully dig around the plant with a trowel, being careful not to dig into the roots and damage them. Gently lift the plant out of the ground (or the pot), making sure the roots remain intact. Position it in its new location, add soil as needed and gently pat around the base of the plant to remove any air pockets. Water generously.
Pests and Diseases
The biggest pest of the Holy Ghost orchid is human traffickers who harvest the plant to sell internationally at greatly inflated prices (I didn’t have the heart to tell my friend that her newest was probably due to illegal trafficking).
Other pests include the most common orchid pests like aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips. These all feed off the plant’s sap. Thrips are particularly difficult to control because they are so tiny. Thrips destroy the flowers and the buds.
White blotch, a fungal disease, causes white spots on the leaves and bloom, which results in premature decay. There are also bacterial diseases that affect the Holy Ghost orchid. These cause brown or soft spots on the leaves and have an unpleasant odor. Flower stem withering is another concern as it causes the plant’s stems to wilt and discolor. The affected stems die, which leads to problems with the plant’s reproductive ability. And root rot caused by overwatering results in soft, discolored roots that eventually kill the entire plant.
To treat these diseases, make sure the plant is getting proper air circulation. Don’t overwater and keep plants clean with regular wiping down of the leaves (top and bottom). Use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to gently remove scales, mealybugs, and aphids.
Symbolic Meaning
As the national flower of Panama, the Holy Ghost orchid’s primary uses are symbolic, spiritual, and ornamental. It’s a symbol of peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit, making it a good addition to a wedding bouquet. It’s also used for indigenous celebrations of clarity and spirituality.
Final Thoughts
A rare beauty, the Holy Ghost orchid is an endangered species. It requires specialized growing conditions and is therefore limited in where it can grow naturally. Its unique dove shape and spiritual associations make it a much sought-after addition to a private gardener’s or orchid enthusiast’s collection. Realizing the extreme monetary advantage of this plant, traffickers harvest it recklessly and at random, heedless of taking care to protect the surrounding growing space. Commercial harvesting of this orchid is prohibited, but sadly, difficult to enforce.
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