Gastrochilus japonicus

[DaylightFirefly]

I thought this plant decided not to bloom this summer. This assumption was incorrect.
But I almost missed blooming season and you can easily understand why after looking at the ‘blooming’ plant.
Here it is


It is playing hide and seek.
On closer look on left side of the plant


And in the right side


I can clearly see fragile tiny yellow fingers of the fully opened bloom, but I wish the plant could see where the main stage is to showcase all the beauty and where the backstage is.

[Paphluvr]

I’ve grown this species in the past but I don’t recall ever having a problem with the flowers getting caught between the plant and the mount.

[Grawski]

I would think increasing the humidity will allow the plant's leaves to rehydrate.

[DaylightFirefly]

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

I’ve grown this species in the past but I don’t recall ever having a problem with the flowers getting caught between the plant and the mount.

This plant bloomed for me before and spike would normally be directed away from the bark mount. Not sure what happened this time.

[Roberta]

The problem with Gastrochilus in general... getting the "blooming" side going in the right direction. If this plant isn't too firmly attached to the mount, can you remount with the other side toward the mount? I have used a small wood basket, turned sideways, to use as a mount with some depth, to put as much as the plant in the air as possible increasing the odds that the flowers will be where they can be seen.

[DaylightFirefly]

Originally Posted by Roberta

getting the "blooming" side going in the right direction.

Hi Roberta, thank you for your advice and for sharing your experience. Does it mean Gastro plants have one side that produces flower spikes and I happened to put that side towards the bark of a mount?

Originally Posted by Roberta

… can you remount with the other side toward the mount? I have used a small wood basket, turned sideways, to use as a mount with some depth, to put as much as the plant in the air as possible increasing the odds that the flowers will be where they can be seen.

The roots have been growing into the mount for some time. The plant is firmly holding on to the wood.
There are two new growths so it is now a bunch of three leads on a surface of the mount. I am afraid that remounting with current front towards the bark will kill them.

Not sure I understand how you use basket to increase exposure to air. It sounds interesting and idea is new for me. When I got my Gastro I was puzzled for some time, trying to find proper place for it. If you happen to have a picture of a basket mount like you describe, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Roberta]

I think let the plant sort it out, don't disturb it. spikes tend to come out on one side.. underneath the plant. Mine is Gastrochilus calceolaris, habit very similar to G. japonicus. Here are a few pix. It's a root machine, the basket give it some more room to wrap roots without getting into other pots or sticking to the wall. The first two are from this year, the third one is from 2 years ago. Once they get going, they put on quite a show. You can, I suspect, just coax the flowers out into the "daylight" if you can catch them when they are emerging. As the plant grows, the new growths will likely put the flowers more where you can see them.

[DaylightFirefly]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I think let the plant sort it out, don't disturb it. spikes tend to come out on one side.. underneath the plant. Mine is Gastrochilus calceolaris, habit very similar to G. japonicus….

Thank you for the pictures! Gastrochilus calceolaris looks very cool! Love spots and fringed lip! Completely agree with your description of Gastrochiluses as root machine. They truly are!

[Arne]

That's a great idea Roberta! I must try this basket mount next time.