Restrepia striata culture

[maitaman]

I spend as much time as possible in the mountains, etc. I've found more than 260 species that I can identify so far. There are more than 1200 species listed as from here. Many others are only listed in Costa Rica or Colombia that are also here. I'm putting a few (free) websites on soon where I can post pics and info. I'll let you know when they're up.

[tbaenziger]

Hey guys, I must be doing something right. Not only is this plant reblooming on old growth, but there is a new bud and many new growing leaves. I could have as many as three or four (or more) flowers at the same time. I've noticed that the flowers are lasting longer as well, up to three days open. Here's what I did. In the spray bottle I added not regular tap water, but a very weak (1/4 or less of the recommended dose) 20-20-20 solution and 1 drop of everclear (that's 'pure' alcohol) per quart. Spraying with this daily, and rinsing thoroughly once a week has caused the root system to just explode in all directions and the rate of growth to double. The plant still on a fern plaque is in a wide mouthed glass, close to the light, not resting in water but on some plastic peanuts. Light, air, water and voila! Who would have figured the 'chid is an alcoholic?
Another point to make, for Maitaman and others, is that, although not showy, the flowers are truly beautiful in their intricacy.
I even bought another, a dark red-leafed unknown species from Colombia. Wish me luck.

[Tindomul]

Thats so cool. Why did you add the alcohol?

[tbaenziger]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Thats so cool. Why did you add the alcohol?

Very simple. It is a readily available molecule in the wild, and orchids seem to like it. I read somewhere (and then heard from certain growers) that epiphytes seem to dote on it in very dilute measure, so I've taken to adding a drop in the fertilizer solution and they seem to grow more readily. Attention: very dilute!

[nancy]

Hi Ted -
Perhaps ignorance IS bliss, because I grow two restrepias outdoors in south Louisiana, and they grow and flower just fine (I thought these were heat-tolerant), and I did get a chuckle from 'Pals' statement that he grows them warm in the UK. I suspect you don't get our buoyant heat and humidity for 9 months of the year!
My restrepias are on grapevine (TX grapevine, fer gawd's sake!) mounts, grown in dappled sun. I try to hose off the mounted plants on no-rain days; twice if it's really hot and windy.
They are kind of sneaky bloomers - I never really see buds (which look like 1/2" sticks) but suddenly there are flowers. They flower randomly throughout the year, but most heavily April-November. They are nice little plants, and don't seem hard to grow here; I've had one for 2+ years, the other for more than a year, and they seem to do fine in our delightfully hellish temperatures.
Regards - Nancy