Restrepia contorta in flower

[RosieC]

This is the first time this has flowered for me.

I bought it in the summer, having been tempted to get a second restrepia while visiting a nursary.

There is a second flower bud which looks pretty close to opening, a third is smaller but growing and unfortunately the 4th and 5th tiny buds seem to have stalled.

The flower is pointing almost completely upwards. Not sure if that's due to the lower light recently with these dark winter months, or if it's normal for these. The second bud is at the same angle.

The leaves got pretty red over the summer and I think I had it in too high a light. It's not grown at all for me yet which is concerning, but I hope it will once the weather warms up.

I grow it in my greenhouse, and it's one of the few orchids I grow in moss (only Restrepias and Masdies).

[RosieC]

I was wrong saying the flower was pointing upwards, as I picked up the plant to take it back to it's spot I realised it is actually pointing somwhat backwards.

[Izzie]

Oh it is beautiful Rosie! I love the colors, what a stunning bloom. I'm not usually a fan of Restrepias- but yours is absolutely wonderful. Well done to you both! Hope it starts growing for you.

[Hedge]

Very nice, Rosie, I haven't seen these before. Where did you buy it from?

[Tindomul]

What a beauty!! Nice photos too.

[roby]

Very nice!!
sorry but I do not understand, when you say moss, sphagnum moss mean?
I am very interested to know

thanks in advance

[RosieC]

Thanks everyone

Hedge, I got it from Burnham Nursary down in Devon. They had loads of different ones when I visited the nursary. I have two, both bought on different visits to them. Now I've had both of them flower for me I'm really thinking I will get even more.

Roby, It is grown in sphagnum moss in a small clay pot. It grows well that way. The nursary grew them in sphagnum moss as well but with plastic pots.

[Jennyfleur]

Lovely Rosie

[Tom-DE]

Restrepias are fun to grow and many of them should do fine under intermediate condition. Nice one!

[RosieC]

Thanks Tom and Jennyfleur,

I've really been pleased how well I've done with these guys as I was really nervous of them to begin with. I was plesently suprised to find how strong the plants are. The roots and stems are very fine, but when repotting I could tell that the roots were pretty strong and not at all delicate. Great little plants.