Light requirements of Phalaenopsis hygrochila

[Mr.Fakename]

I recently acquired seedlings of Phal hygrochila (or Hygrochilus parishii if you're old school); but I'm unsure of how that species grows.

Should I give them Vandaceous conditions and full sun, or bright but indirect light?

[Roberta]

Mine is a big plant, so it can tolerate more abuse than a seedling... I grow it under Vandaceous conditions - very bright. It grows on my patio - outdoors all year (so winter to 3-4 deg C on occasion but days warm to 20-22 deg C most of the time) I got it about a year ago, so it has been through a full range of seasons.

It has been in bloom for nearly 2 months! Definitely grows more like a Vanda than a Phalaenopsis... but has the flower-duration quality that is Phal-like.

[Mr.Fakename]

Thanks Roberta!

Those roots are really impressive and the flowers are sooo nice. Can't wait to see how mine will turn out

I've been told they grow slowly and don't care at all about their potting media, do you agree?

[Roberta]

Plant doesn't seem to grow fast (although it was pretty big to begin with), but roots do... the roots that it came with were about a meter long. And now it is producing a bunch of new roots, like about 20 cm long in just in the last couple of months. The best medium for it seems to be "none"... I have some sphagnum in the basket that puts humidity into the general area of the roots, but essentially all the roots are outside the basket, which is mostly just providing support (a way to hang it).

[Roberta]

These could also go into the "Root Porn" thread. These new roots are soooo beautiful.

[SouthPark]

I love 'primeval' jungle spots.

[Mr.Fakename]

That's definitely an interesting plant, not quite a Phal and not quite a Vanda; I understand why their genus used to be Vandopsis.

That's precious insight into a rare orchid, thank you!

[Roberta]

Glad to share! It's one that should be more popular/available. It seems to be a really vigorous, adaptable and robust species. And also fragrant.