Pleurothallis rubella

[Pattywack]

I have had this plant for two years and it has been an excellent little orchid, easy to grow and a pleasure to see it always flowering. Many of my favorites are Pleurothallis, they are intermediate growers and easy to please. I like to think of them as agreeable.

I grow mostly miniatures and a long time favorite has been Platystele stenostachya. I had this rubella in my Exo Terra terrarium along with my stenostachya until just a few weeks ago. The rubella had grown too large for the space so I’ve repotted it into a larger pot and moved it into my indoor greenhouse. The poor guy was crammed between a cork stump and the side of the tank. Since removing it I’ve noticed it has rounded out to a much nicer shape and is still flowering nonstop.

I don’t see this plant discussed often, I think it needs more attention. If you’re into miniatures you should try the rubella. The shiny bright leaves are complimented by the yellow flowers with red highlights and the tiny flowers look as if they are holding out their arms. It is a rewarding plant, very agreeable

[Leafmite]

What a cute flower! My terrarium is full or I would probably be looking for one, now. :|

[bjmac]

What a great shaped Platystele stenostachya. Mine is still blooming, but not as large as your. How often are you fertilizering yours.

[Pattywack]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

What a cute flower! My terrarium is full or I would probably be looking for one, now. :|

Thank you Leafmite! This plant is always in bloom and you may need another terrarium

[Pattywack]

Originally Posted by bjmac

What a great shaped Platystele stenostachya. Mine is still blooming, but not as large as your. How often are you fertilizering yours.

BJ, thank you! It has grown well in the terrarium, too well obviously as I had to remove it and I fertilize honestly about once a month in my terrariums simply because I cannot flush the plants as easily.

The plant pictured above is not Platystele stenostachya, that is Pleurothallis rubella. This picture is my Platystele stenostachya along with Pleurothallis grobyi. These two are mounted and have grown to the cork stump. Both doing well. Stenostachya is not flowering currently though it certainly flowers often! Similar in size to rubella.

[Tindomul]

P. stenostachya was one of my best purchases, lasting me from 2007 till the pandemic hit. I loved how round it would get and when it bloomed, it was like a supernova in my terrarium.

Thanks for introducing me/us to P. rubella. I like it!!