Thunia

Read about Thunia in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Thunia (Count Thun-Tetschen, who had an important collection of orchids about the middle of the nineteenth century). Orchidaceae. Tall plants with annual leafy stems terminating in a raceme of showy flowers. Formerly united with Phaius, from which it differs by the terminal infl.: sepals and petals similar, spreading; labellum convolute over the column, spurred, ornamented with several crests consisting of lines of fleshy hairs; pollinia 8: fls. subtended by large membranous bracts.—About 6 species in N. India, Burma, and in the S. Himalaya region ascending to a height of 6,000 ft. The culture of the thunias is very simple. They begin growth naturally at the end of February or early in March. As soon as new growth is visible the plants should be given new material, consisting of fibrous peat or fern-root and sphagnum mixed with loam and some sand and potsherds for drainage. In their native home the plants are said to be epiphytic, and when treated as terrestrial orchids the native habit may be imitated by setting them well above the pot, which should not be too large. For the first four to six weeks until the young roots have made good growth, it is necessary to apply water sparingly. Thunias are very rapid-growing orchids and may be liberally supplied with liquid manure until the end of the flowering season, which occurs about the middle of August. Soon after this the leaves fall. The old stems winter in this condition and serve as food reservoirs for the young growth of the next season, but although they remain on the plant two years they form no leaves the second season. During the resting-period they should be kept in a rather dry atmosphere and be given only enough water to prevent the stems (pseudobulbs) from shriveling. This is one of the few orchids which can be profitably propagated by cutting the old stems into lengths of about 6 inches and rooting them in sand or sphagnum. When rooted the young plants may be potted in the usual way. A temperature of 60° to 65 is favorable during the growing season. T. Veitchiana -T. Bensoniae X T. Marshalliana. Sepals and petals white, flushed light mauve at tips; front of lip mauve-purple, the base white, purple-lined. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

? Thunia
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Asparagales Family: Orchidaceae Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Arethuseae Subtribe: Thuniinae Genus: Thunia Rchb.f.
Species
*Thunia marshalliana Thunia pulchra Thunia venosa etc.

Thunia is a genus of orchids (family Orchidaceae) and the only genus of the subtribe Thuniinae. The genus comprises 6 species, native to Southeast Asia.