Need cultural info for Rhynchostylis

[Don Perusse]

I just picked up 2 Rhychostylis at an auction both in bloom for only $7. each. One is Rhy. Gigantea (very sm wht bloom w/pink lip) the other very sm dk grape color flower but no name. Would like to know if cultural requirements would be the same as Ascon. or Vandas? They look like the same family and are in hanging baskets.

[smweaver]

Don, if you go to the link below, there's a free cultural sheet with lots of good information for Rhynchostylis gigantea:

Orchid Species Culture - Free Sheet Index

Good luck with your new plants!

Steve

[blackorchid]

I have mine growing outdoor in bright light with 6 hours of direct sun light. with a lot of air moving. It thrives in an airy medium (charcoal) in a slatted basket that doesn't hold much water (the surface gets dry after 15 minutes of watering.) Therefore, I have to water that plant (drench the plant in water until the roots turn nice and green) twice a day. I live in a place where I enjoy a high humidity year roung (80% and up), therefore, the plant is really happy. The thick leaves and roots stores a lot of water so keep them on the drier side.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Grow intermediate to warm. With it preferring intermediate conditions.

Water like a Vanda.

Lighting is bright indirect.

Basket growing suits it well.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by Don Perusse

I just picked up 2 Rhychostylis at an auction both in bloom for only $7. each. One is Rhy. Gigantea (very sm wht bloom w/pink lip) the other very sm dk grape color flower but no name. Would like to know if cultural requirements would be the same as Ascon. or Vandas? They look like the same family and are in hanging baskets.

It sounds like you got a great deal. I live in central FL and am the proud parent of a Rhynco which was purchased as a bare root and displays magenta flowers when in bloom. She's always been a happy girl and has secured her 1/2" thick roots in and about her wooden slat basket filled with charcoal chunks. She's thriving in a partially shaded eastern exposure and her extremely absorbant roots get sprayed once daily with weakly weekly fertilizer until the temperatures begin to drop. During the cooler months she gets one drink a week with no fert. and she usually blooms between December and February. I'd have to say they're slow growers with one or two new leaves per year. They also shed a bottom leaf as new roots emerge in the spring. Every year the root growth is larger in diameter than the last. with your new babies.

[blackorchid]

The only way to get these guys to bloom is when the day length is shorten, like in Winter and Spring, so keep the natural light on where you are, try not to let the light indoor affect its blooming ability.

[Don Perusse]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I do not grow inside. They are currently in the G/H hung about head high and I live in So. Ga. so we also have lots of humidity. I do see new leaves since I acquired them. Seems like they are happy. Tanks!!!