Gastrochilus japonicus help

[c123anderson]

Hi! I'm new to the board with a little orchid experience. I've had success in getting my orchids to spike in the past: first was a dendrobium, then phalenopsis, then neofinetia. Latest has been my gastrochilus japonicus.

I'm new to the gastrochilus japonicus, but it seems to be growing well and had spiked: a beautiful little cluster with 2-3 opening and 1-2 buds.

Here's my question: I watched my beautiful little cluster carefully and excitedly over a week. I watered it a couple days ago, then the spike lost the flowers and buds!

Can anyone tell me why I lost my new little blooms or tell me what I did wrong?

The GJ is growing in a bathroom with filtered western light. I mist at least 1x day (along with other orchids) for increased humidity.

Also, I'm in the northern hemisphere, so we are going into fall/winter. Should I expect that, after losing this spike, that GP needs a winter rest?

Thank you for any help!

[tmoney]

holy crap! 90% humidity in the summer and 80-85 the rest of the year (travaldo)??!! no wonder we can't grow most orchids.

[c123anderson]

tmoney, I'm completely confused by your post.

What do your comments about humidity have to do with my questions?

And, no, my area definitely does not have those levels of humidity. Even in a bathroom.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by c123anderson

tmoney, I'm completely confused by your post.

What does your comments about humidity have to do with my questions?

And, no, my area definitely does not have those levels of humidity. Even in a bathroom.

I'm going to guess that he replied in the wrong thread!


Have you been misting late in the day, and the plant goes to bed wet? Does your bathroom experience strong shifts in temperature/humidity (when you shower, or leaving a window open to remove excess humidity)?

And welcome to Orchidboard by the way!!

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[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

I don't grow this. But if you use the Search function in the top maroon menu you can find posts here about this plant. Many people grow it in a terrarium or jar to increase the humidity.

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

Question... is this a recent acquisition (in spike when you got it)? If so, it may just be reacting to the stress of shipping and change of location. Your environment sounds about right. I have the luxury of outdoor growing so my conditions are quite differnt, but I grow Gastrochilus outside (where winter night temperatures can get close to freezing) but summer is warm. Also on the shady side. Your watering sounds right... is it mounted? It likes humidity, and the wet-dry cycle like a Vanda and that seems to be what it is getting. In terms of temperature, that shouldn't be a problem, it expects warmth in summer.

[c123anderson]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Have you been misting late in the day, and the plant goes to bed wet? Does your bathroom experience strong shifts in temperature/humidity (when you shower, or leaving a window open to remove excess humidity)?

These are good questions, Camille. I don't usually mist late in the day, but that is something that I should watch to make sure I am not doing this in my excitement.

Usually not a lot of strong shifts. We can experience some significant temp shifts this time of year, so no open windows. The shower humidity is temporary, and it's far enough away from the shower itself that the humidity isn't too great.

And thanks for the welcome! I had been out for years taking care of human babies and received an orchid (grocery store phal.) for an anniversary. (Surprised husband that I got it to spike and beautiful flowers on it, too! I believe that's produced 5 open flowers and has 7 remaining buds.) Now I can refocus on orchid/green babies.

---------- Post added at 10:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Question... is this a recent acquisition (in spike when you got it)? If so, it may just be reacting to the stress of shipping and change of location. Your environment sounds about right. I have the luxury of outdoor growing so my conditions are quite differnt, but I grow Gastrochilus outside (where winter night temperatures can get close to freezing) but summer is warm. Also on the shady side. Your watering sounds right... is it mounted? It likes humidity, and the wet-dry cycle like a Vanda and that seems to be what it is getting. In terms of temperature, that shouldn't be a problem, it expects warmth in summer.

Hi Roberta! Thanks!

I'm new at this species, so I'm not sure what to expect. What I mean by that, too, is the observed flowers appeared to be green and white with no pink on the lips. The coloration made me concerned that the plant was stressed.

I did purchase this about 1.5 months ago. Not in spike when I received it, either, though having it flower so soon after I received it, I may be incorrect. (Order said it was in spike when sold, so you're likely correct that it's stressed.) It's not mounted, either; just in a pot. I've left it in the pot that I received it in as it looks okay for the moment. I hesitate to mount, since I am in a drier area.

I've started photographing my orchids and observing for changes. Photographing helps me document changes and recall better.

For future spikes, should I worry about watering or should I water differently for it when in spike? I was pretty sad that it seemed to shed the flowers and buds. I'm afraid it was due to watering.

How do I water? I will flush through with water at watering times, so it's receiving water poured on it. I can't readily find where there's recommended ways to water this species. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks!

---------- Post added at 10:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:37 AM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

I don't grow this. But if you use the Search function in the top maroon menu you can find posts here about this plant. Many people grow it in a terrarium or jar to increase the humidity.

Hi Estación. I did try the search and didn't find an answer. I am still finding my way around the board, though, and may stumble across an answer in another thread. I really appreciate the help, here, though, too, since the board is a little overwhelming at first.

---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:41 AM ----------

Oh, and camille, gorgeous photos!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by c123anderson

Hi Roberta! Thanks!

I'm new at this species, so I'm not sure what to expect. What I mean by that, too, is the observed flowers appeared to be green and white with no pink on the lips. The coloration made me concerned that the plant was stressed.

I did purchase this about 1.5 months ago. Not in spike when I received it, either, though having it flower so soon after I received it, I may be incorrect. (Order said it was in spike when sold, so you're likely correct that it's stressed.) It's not mounted, either; just in a pot. I've left it in the pot that I received it in as it looks okay for the moment. I hesitate to mount, since I am in a drier area.

I've started photographing my orchids and observing for changes. Photographing helps me document changes and recall better.

For future spikes, should I worry about watering or should I water differently for it when in spike? I was pretty sad that it seemed to shed the flowers and buds. I'm afraid it was due to watering.

How do I water? I will flush through with water at watering times, so it's receiving water poured on it. I can't readily find where there's recommended ways to water this species. Do you have any suggestions?

I would just water normally for future spikes. One challenge with growing Gastrochilus in a pot... the flowers tend to come out at the base of the plant pointing downward. Don't move it now, let it adjust, but when you see new roots, consider a slight "change of scenery". I have used baskets upside down or sideways - with sphagnum in the basket, held in place with mesh or wires, also holding the plant. Sort of mounted, but with better moisture. (Just pour the water through) That way the flowers are more visible. They are small and intricate... you'll see wonderful details in photos that you miss when just looking at it.

[c123anderson]

Awesome thoughts, Roberta. Thanks! I did want to wait to adjust/repot, especially when I saw the spike, but with it being a higher humidity plant, I didn't want to stress it. Some great tips!

Now I need to figure out how to care for my vanilla orchid that's growing wonderfully and out of control....Cannot find posts with ideas for just yet....

[tmoney]

man, sorry, didn’t think/realize that you prolly didn’t know im the village idiot and most of what i type is mildly relevant at best. i should have typed, “ ive never heard of that orchid before and when i consulted my go-to source (travaldos) it mentioned 90% humidity in summer and 80-85 percent for the rest of the year.”

and then it reminded me that we are only successful at a small % of all orchids....so...sorry for the misunderstanding, and welcome to the orchidboard!!