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By Ross at 2007-09-02 22:27
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Genus Description: A native of Taiwan, this miniature stick-growing orchid blooms once a year. The bloom season depends on your latitude. In Northern Hemisphere, it normally blooms in spring on short spikes, at base of plant, with 4-6 blooms per spike. The vanda/phalaenopsis-like growth is best displayed mounted on a medium to large sized “stick” mount. This species is best suited for a high humidity terrarium culture with high quality water (R.O. or rain water). It is normal for roots to ramble out into the air if given plenty of humidity. Mature plants will have 8 or more 2" leaves.
Light: G. somai grows well under the same lighting as Phalaenopsis (800-1500 foot-candles) but will tolerate a slightly lower level (not below 500 foot-candles). It is well-suited to culture under T5 florescent light banks in a terrarium at same light levels as Haraella.
Temperature: This species is an intermediate temperature grower. It grows in cool to warm temperatures. I have had best luck with 62-75 degrees F. winter up to low-to-mid 80’s F. in summer, providing there is a substantial cool-down at night (mid 70’s F.)
Watering: This species will be difficult to grow outside a terrarium environment. It needs frequent watering, yet drying between watering. Its high humidity requirement precludes growing in, normally dry, house environments especially in winter with central heat.
Humidity & Air Movement: My plant is growing in constant 90% plus humidity and constant (24 hours per day) air movement. The plant constantly moves in the air currents. This probably mimics the natural environment from which it comes
Fertilizing: I have had best luck by using frequent misting in a terrarium environment, with frequent (every-other-day) dunkings in fertilizer solution. I normally use MSU mix at 125ppm Nitrogen, with Dyna-Gro Pro-Tekt, as well as a couple drops of KLN solution. The Pro-Tekt seems to aid in the plant’s ability to tolerate higher heat of the Terrarium environment under lights.
Repotting and Dividing: Not applicable. This is best grown on a mount such as a largish stick.
Additional Notes: The spikes will emerge in spring (in Northern Latitudes) and bear 4-6 buds each. Mine had 2 spikes and one had 4 buds and the other had 5 buds. The spikes and buds tend to form a mass of blossoms. The blossoms are faintly fragrant. In my case the stick the plant is mounted on overpowered the blossoms (musty smell) but the sweet fragrance could not be totally dismissed! This is an easy plant to grow, if you can provide a terrarium/high humidity environment. If you cannot provide this, then skill level will be difficult at best. Not a plant for the casual window-sill grower.
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