Habenaria rhodocheila is starting to bloom!!!

[Roly0217]

Well I can't take credit for this one since it came in spike and bud already but I just wanted to share it with you guys. It has a faint scent that's very pleasing. Enjoy.

[Paul]

VERY nice, Rolando! I'm envious I keep toying with trying these but I'm afraid of killiing it off. (And considering they have been quite expensive when I've seen them that is a big deterant.)

[Tindomul]

Do you grow this indoors?? Thats is very cool. Does it require a winter rest? Thanks. Its a real beauty!

[Zoi2]

Cool!!
Joann

[Roly0217]

A deciduous plant with subterrainium tuber.Terrestrial, requires a humus rich media, good drainage and a dry rest once the leaves have fallen. There are colour variants. The tuber likes to attach to a small rock, so the addition a a few rocks in the pot may be an advantage.In spring, a repot into a fresh rich leafmould and soil mix plus some organic fertiliser will prompt strong new leaf growth and the apical flower spike of colourful flowers. Habenaria rhodocheila is an intermediate to warm grower, but should be easily handled in the cold glasshouse as it is dormant in the cold months, when the pot can be removed and held dry, with an occasional water to prevent excess drying out of the tuber.
I understand that it prefers to be rather shaded. I will keep it with the Bulbos or Paphs once I put it outdoors.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This is also known as Habenaria erichmichaelii. It is distinctive for it's large pink patch on the lip.

It should not be given a completely dry dormancy. The tuberoids can still get dehydrated, so it needs a fairly dry dormancy with a very sparse amount of watering.

I think it can handle around 2,000 - 2,200 footcandles. Quite possibly up to 2,500 footcandles.

Beautiful. Best of luck with this one.

[Roly0217]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

This is also known as Habenaria erichmichaelii. It is distinctive for it's large pink patch on the lip.

It should not be given a completely dry dormancy. The tuberoids can still get dehydrated, so it needs a fairly dry dormancy with a very sparse amount of watering.

I think it can handle around 2,000 - 2,200 footcandles. Quite possibly up to 2,500 footcandles.

Beautiful. Best of luck with this one.

Would you say every 2 weeks or so give it a soak or water from the top until the water runs from the bottom??

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'm in the school of thought where you'd have better control over the well-being of the tuberoids if they were removed from the media during dormancy (which is some time in fall). You may put it in a small breathable baggie with a little bit of fresh potting media that has 2 parts perlite to 1 part potting soil.

Something in the order of soaking it once every 2 - 3 wks should suffice.

I would also be on top of fertilizing on a regular basis. The next generation of tuberoids must either be the same size as the previous one or larger in order for you to do well with these. If they are too much smaller, you're going to run into some problems in the long run.

Take care not to over water during growing season.

I think you should take a look at this video so that the whole roots attaching to rock thing makes a little more sense to you.

Sunlight picks out plant shapes and colours


Don't store in the fridge during dormancy.

Dormancy is the toughest time you'll have with this orchid. Growing season is relatively easy.

[nenella]

Beautiful flower, love the colour! Keep us posted on how it does for you.