Growing Rhyn. digbyana

[DebsC]

I've read that Rhyn. digbyana is a very slow growing plant. What is your experience growing this orchid. I have a small plant mounted and I'm wondering how long I'll be waiting for a flower.

Also any growing advice would be appreciated.

[dgenovese1]

Hi DebsC,

I have a small plant too, and it finally bloomed this past spring after having it my collection for about 18 months. It seems to grow at about the same rate as any of my cattleyas; however it has been splitting more with each successive growth...each new lead produces two new leads. It had about 5 or 6 pseudobulbs when I got it, and now there are well over 12 or 15.

The only cultural difference it has from my cattleyas is that I keep it dryer during the fall and winter. I have it in a 4" pot hanging high in the shade house. I'll probably bump it up to a 5 or 6 inch pot in the spring after it blooms again...hopefully anyway.

I hope this helps.

[isurus79]

Very slow growing for me. I get one flush of growth per year and it takes the entire year for the full cycle of new growth, then flowering, then roots come out. Give LOTS of direct sun, and mount your plant or provide very fast drying media for best growth.

[Intruder]

I agree all what is writhed here, same situation in Belgium, it grows very slowly and it needs a lot of sun what is sometime difficult here.

[DebsC]

I have mine mounted and it hangs high in the greenhouse. I just got it in the spring so I really haven't had time to observe a full cycle of growth yet.

What about fertilizer? Do you feed yours like any other catt?

Thanks for all your answers!

[dgenovese1]

Originally Posted by DebsC

What about fertilizer? Do you feed yours like any other catt?

Thanks for all your answers!

I feed mine just like my other cattleya alliance plants.
Once a week starting in spring on thru late October, and then once every two weeks. My general fertilizer is Dyna-Gro liquid (7-9-5 with mironutrients) mixed at 1/2 teaspoon per gallon along with superthrive additive. About once every 6 weeks or so I use epsom salts and potassium nitrate mixed at 1 tablespoon each per gallon, along with Better Grow bloom booster and superthrive.

[Ray]

Lots of sunlight is the key - I think they are some of the most sun-loving plants on the face of the earth.

If mounted, I would water daily, feeding with most waterings.

[gixrj18]

Has anyone bloomed one of these under shade cloth (approx. 60% light)?

[dgenovese1]

Originally Posted by gixrj18

Has anyone bloomed one of these under shade cloth (approx. 60% light)?

Hi Jasen,

My shade house is 50% where mine bloomed last spring. A little less than the 60% you asked about, but there you have it.

[gixrj18]

Good, because mine has already attached a massive root system to the "tree-branch" center column in my shadehouse, with some Encyclias....so this means I won't have to move it. Thanks, Dave!