Sarcochilus culture

[Raymond]

Salutations
I have a Sarcochilus Zoe 'SB' ( X SARCOCHILUS (Heidi x Karen Ann) Pinwit). I have not yet had her flower and would just like some culture advice from those of you who may be well acquainted with these orchids. I have not been able to find too much comprehensive information on these plants. I would like some detail on how much light they enjoy and to what other orchids this light intensity can be likened. I am of the understanding that they enjoy profuse amounts of water. I also believe that they enjoy a well aerated environment and like a little bit on the cold side. Please correct any of my inaccurate information and assist me in fully understanding the needs of these orchids.

Yours sincerely

[PaphMadMan]

I hope a true expert will answer your question, but I grew Sarcochilus with some success, though ultimately I found it too hard to give the conditions they really need. Your general understanding is not wrong. I would just add that in the coldest part of the year they should be getting less water and probably no fertilizer at all. The better known orchid I would compare them to for general culture is classic large cool growing Cymbidium hybrids, but with just a bit less light.

The genus is from the mountains of eastern/southeastern Australia and they have their greatest popularity in that country, so Australian orchid nursery websites might be your best source of information.

[Raymond]

Thank you. I would appreciate any advise from anybody else.

[jkofferdahl]

The only Sarchochilus I've grown is the species hartmanii. The plant likes similar conditions to a Phalaenopsis regarding temperature and humidity, but light between what a Phal wants and what a Cattleya wants. Provide it good humidity - I try to keep mine at least at 50%. They don't do well if they get too dry between waterings, seeming to prefer to just approach getting dry when time for the next watering. As with most orchids, air movement is critical.

[Raymond]

Thank you, that is most helpful. Especially the part about light. Do they enjoy direct morning sun for a short while?

[DeaC]

One of the more prominent orchid growers and hybridizer here in the US is Fred Clarke of CA.Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts is his site and he gives culture for what he grows,including sarcos,so this may be of help to you.

[Raymond]

Thank you for your consideration.

[estación seca]

I heard Alan Koch of Gold Country Orchids speak. He mentioned he saw Sarcochilus australis growing in habitat in dense shade, around 400 footcandles. He said he had killed the species many times before, but after growing them in shade, they began to grow well.

The link DeaC gave has detailed information on how Fred Clarke grows them.

[Raymond]

That is quite confusing.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I've grown a few of these before.

Let me start by saying that they generally do not do well in very bright light situations. My experience has been that the more commonly grown species tend to prefer to grow in moderately bright indirect light. There may be outliers in the genus such as Sarcochilus australis, which do appear to grow in shadier locations.

From what I have seen, the more commonly grown species are temperature tolerant (45 F - 100 F/7.2 C - 37.8 C). Santa Barbara Orchid Estate grows these with their Cymbidiums but with lower light levels than Cymbidiums (for anybody who can visit Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, they grow these towards the back of their Cymbidium greenhouse). They prefer it on the cool to intermediate temperature range, but they do not have to be kept cool all the time. The less commonly grown species such as Sarcochilus australis, I don't really know about.

From what I understand, some species are actually lithophytic orchids that can also be found growing as epiphytes than they are strict epiphytes. There are a few species that are strictly found as epiphytes. Research which Sarcochilus you want to grow first and find out if they are strict epiphytes or if they can grow as a lithophyte. If they can grow as a lithophyte, you may try growing those particular species in granite. Santa Barbara Orchid Estate grows several species and hybrids using granite. No one has to take my word for this, for anybody who is able to go to SBOE, check it out for yourselves. Large grade granite works well. Granite is super easy to get at any gardening center or rock yard, and they are conveniently packaged in a bag. If the species you are trying to grow are strict epiphytes, it is best to either mount them or grow them potted in large grade bark with a good amount of drainage holes.

Water generously during summer.

Water a bit more sparingly during cooler months.

They tend to bloom in the spring.

Humidity tends to not be as big of a deal with the more commonly grown species such as Sarcochilus hartmannii. I cannot tell you much about the humidity requirements for species that are less commonly grown, (such as the species Sarcochilus australis).

This is how a species like Sarcochilus hartmannii is reported to grow:

Sarcochilus hartmannii

Sarcochilus australis is an outlier when compared to the group of Sarcochilus that are commonly grown in the hobby in that they appear to be strict epiphytes, and that they do grow in shadier locations.

This is apparently how Sarcochilus australis really grows in the wild:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...eba7af6e35.jpg

http://photos.rnr.id.au/2006/12/03/S...61203-2200.jpg

Does this clarify things?