My first blooming of Sigmatostalix coastaricensis

[whygreenberg]

Hi, folks! This is my first blooming of Sigmatostalix coastaricensis (syn. guatamalensis). I received it back in April—it was a traveling companion for my Haraella project plant. Three spikes in bloom right now, with another spike on its way. The photos ain't the best, this one is very difficult for me to get good shots of. Also, it seems to bloom somewhat sequentially, so a few of the individual flowers in one or two of the photos are already past prime.

[trdyl]

Very cute.

[Leisurely]

Wow, that is a lot of spikes for such a small plant and the flowers are very unique.

[hydrophyte]

What a handsome little plant. I must say I have never heard of that one. Do you know what it is allied with?

[whygreenberg]

Thanks, guys! It is in the Oncidium alliance, and is related to Ornithophora radicans which may be more familiar to you (and which also used to be classified as a Sigmatostalix.)

It's been pretty easy to grow—gets relatively high light (can't tell from the photos but the undersides of the leaves are purple), watered every other morning, somewhat strongish air movement, and humidity between 60–80%.

[tuvoc]

Cool.

Kim

[whygreenberg]

Update and an FYI for anyone who's interested in getting one of these... The three spikes which were blooming have lost all their flowers. However...all three spikes are starting new buds! So, I guess this guy is a repeat-bloomer.

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Yvan

Thanks for calling attention to this lovely little orchid. Please keep us posted about the next bloom cycle.

Do you grow it in an orchidarium?

[whygreenberg]

Thanks! I'll definitely update on the new round of blooms.

It doesn't really grow in an orchidarium. I mainly grow on one shelf of a bookcase, which you can see here. Able to get the light levels up with the 105 watt CFL, and humidity levels up with a humidifier (sits on the floor directly below/in front of the bookcase, blowing up.)