Gastrochilus bellinus culture

[Kevinator]

Hello everyone!

Does anyone have experience with this orchid? I got it today with two spikes. The seller didn't know much about it. I currently have it potted in a plastic basket with medium grade bark and sphagnum moss. Yes I know people always says it should be mounted but I have no room to do so.

Thanks!
Kevinator

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It doesn't have to be mounted. It can be grown potted.

If you want to grow it in a basket, that's fine. I'd lose the moss though. Just use the medium grade bark and water when dry.

Moderate humidity is fine. In fact, if the humidity is higher, you can get away with watering far less.

You can also use a clear plastic pot and use medium grade bark and water when dry, it works just the same.

Moderate indirect light.

Intermediate to warm growing (55 F - 95 F). I know the Internet Orchid Encyclopedia says cool to warm, but the concern about growing them cool, (the cool temperature range to me is when the temperature can get between 40 F - 54 F), is the problem with leaf spotting, (when I say leaf spotting, I mean the spots can sometimes be the size of a pencil eraser), and other various cold related issues. I had this problem when I grew Gastrochilus japonicum on the cool side. In hindsight, I should've grown it intermediate to warm. Oh well, live and learn.

[Kevinator]

Alright, I'll decrease the amount of spag but I'm not going to eliminate it since its roots aren't really good. I grow it in a basket for air ventilation reasons.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't know how messed up the roots are, but this piece of info should help regardless of how bad they are...

Raise the humidity and keep it on the warmer side.

[Kevinator]

Thanks!