Restrepia cymbula- HELP!

[l.ania]

I couldn't resist it... And today I bought my first Restrepia. I need your help, because I don't know much about it... Any advice for beginner? Pleaseeeeeee.....

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Restrepias in general are intermediate growing. Grow in Phalaenopsis light. Your water must be good quality. The water should have low dissolved salts. Using tap water is NOT recommended (unless you want to risk having the leaves drop). Moderate to high humidity is fine. They should be grown in moss. It should not completely dry out, but shouldn't be watered everyday. Allow the moss to dry out to the point where you can still feel a tiny bit of moisture and then water again. Do NOT over fertilize. Use fertilizer at half strength or quarter strength.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't know how often Restrepia cymbula flowers. I've never grown this particular species. I have Restrepia striata (brachypus?) which usually blooms in spring. And I've got Restrepia muscifera (aka Restrepia xanthophthalma) which blooms anytime it wants. For Restrepia muscifera sometimes I get two flowers at the same time instead of one at a time.

I forgot to mention that Restrepias in general grow pretty fast. In a year you could end up with double or triple the size of the original size you purchased it at.

[l.ania]

Thanks King! I really appreciate your help
That Restrepia has 2 flowers now

About water: so what water do you use? Would it be ok if I simply water it with distilled water or filtered one would be enough? Or maybe boiled and filtered? What would you recommed?

[harrywitmore]

Ania, distilled water would be good. The other choices would be RO water or rain water. I don't have this species either but would like to get one.

[l.ania]

Originally Posted by harrywitmore

Ania, distilled water would be good. The other choices would be RO water or rain water. I don't have this species either but would like to get one.

Thanks Harry But I think I would have to get some distilled water- I wouldn't risk watering anything with rain water collected somewhere here- I suppose I leave to close to motorway
But snow collected from Narwia National Park in January didn't hurt any orchid

And one more question: Do you think I should mount it when it finishes blooming? Now it looks like this:
It's in cork, I don't know what's deeper- I was so excited that I forgot to ask while buying

[harrywitmore]

I think whether you mount it is determined by how and where you intend to grow it. Most Restrepia don't like to dry out completely and like high humidity. This species seems to be able to withstand warmer temperatures than many Restrepia. But, I have not grown this species. Since I grow all mine in a greenhouse with high humidity I mount most of mine.

[kiki-do]

I keep mine in moss and evenly moist. I use regular tap water without a problem, but I have a drilled well with really good water, not much minerals. I do not find these difficult to grow at all. I have a brachypus and a cuprea. You'll enjoy growing yours. They are lots of fun and very cute to bloom.

[l.ania]

Hm.. how high humidity? Is 70% enough?

[kiki-do]

That should be fine as far as humidity goes. I have rather low humidity here (30% to 45% most times) and I'm amazed at what grows for me.