Gastrochilus japonicus (Project 12 - Spring 2011)

[brewmyster]

Still waiting on word fron Oakhill as to when my order will be shipped. Sure it will be next few days

Mark

[jrodpad]

Hey guys,

My little guy showed up on Friday. Here are some unboxing pics:





The box was a little squished when it arrived and I was worried that the chid would be worse for the wear, but Andy's did a great packing job. It survived the trip unscathed.







It's a tiny little thing. Probably about 4 inches or so. Leaves look good. Roots look good too. I was watering it today and noticed that it has 2 spikes! I opened it late at night and thought they were roots - in the light of day... Spikes! Can't wait.

I'm a bit nervous, as this is only my second mounted orchid. How often are you guys watering? Dry out between waterings or water before dry? There's a big clump of sphagnum around the root mass, so it can probably go a few days between waterings - what do you think? I've got it growing right next to a happy haerella retrocala under 2 short T-5s. Enough light?

How are you guys growing yours? I'm psyched to be part of this spring's project.

-J

[Daethen]

I don't have near the amount of sphag on mine and I have been watering every morning and sometimes spraying during the day. I am so jealous of the spikes!! Mine has one. Previously bloomed though.

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by jrodpad

Hey guys,

My little guy showed up on Friday. Here are some unboxing pics:

That is a awesome plant. Mine has no new spikes but it has some old ones.

[luckygrower]

The growing instructions that came with mine recommends to keep it moist, in my dry air that means spraying it twice a day. I'm growing under lights, my light meter measures about 500 foot candles at the leaves.I hope that is enough light.

[Ysa]

I won't get mine until next Friday so I'm just drooling over yours

[ASP]

2 spikes - lucky you ! Mine only has an old spike but lots of lovely new little roots.
Watering wise Im spraying two or three times a day to keep it moist, I will dunk it once a week when I do all the pots and see how it goes on that regime.

[Paul Mc]

I thought it was supposed to bloom in the fall. Do they bloom in the spring through fall then? I'm confused because so many people are saying they have spikes. What I'm seeing that could potentially be spikes I've just assumed are roots due to the season.

[RosieC]

I think they can bloom at any time, but generally in the fall. I think like Phals there is an environmental trigger, but sometimes those triggers can happen due to odd weather or the conditions where they are being grown (where the nursery was growing them).

It's quite possible the nurserys are sending out the ones they have with spikes because they think people will prefer that.

[shadytrake]

Whoop! I just got the FedEx tracking notification. Mine are arriving May 11.

Orchids Limited only ships FedEx which is fine since my Phrag was very expensive. The most I have ever spent on a single orchid.