Restrepia trichoglossa - help - correct growing conditions?

[Discus]

Hi there,
At the beginning of the month, I received (among other plants) a Restrepia trichoglossa. I don't think it looks at all happy. Within the same area of the room, I also have a Pleurothallis palliolata and a Masdevallia Marguerite 'Pink Champagne' which seem fairly happy - the Pleurothallis is pushing up a new leaf, for example.

I don't think the Restrepia looks at all happy, and I was wondering if anyone could perhaps give me some pointers where I might be going wrong (or conversely, what "right" is!).

This is what it looked like just after I received it - if anything, it looks less happy now:


The humidity has been around 70% on average, a bit higher at night, and a bit lower on really hot days.


For some reason, my cacti install is being irritating and not exporting the temperature graph right now - max has been (briefly) around 31 degrees C; min around 19.6 and average about 24ºC. Basically, it goes up to about 26 most days and then to around 20 at night.

I give it a light squirt with RO water (8-10uS/cm conductivity) on most days into the sphagnum it's potted in. I haven't fertilised it with anything yet since getting it.

I suspect it may have been grown a bit warm, as the orchid grower we obtained it from is situated on the KZN coastline which is very humid and sub-tropical.

Might it prefer a "holiday" on the shaded windowsill in my air-conditioned (20-21 degrees C; ~50% RH) office?

Winter is about to hit, which should lead to much lower night time temps.

[WhiteRabbit]

sorry, I can't help, so just giving your post a

[31drew31]

Never grown this species but I keep all my restrepia basically the same. High humidity 70% + but lower should be ok too. Low light levels from 1 t5 about 8" away from tip of leaves and provide good airflow. I grow all mine mounted, never had luck in pots. I let the sphagnum around the roots become almost dry on the outside then mist heavily. Usually misting every 36 hours approximately.

Andrew

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[Discus]

Here are some more recent quick cellphone snaps (from this morning).

Here's the whole plant:

Might that little net pot sitting to the right of the plant be a better container? I also have some EcoWeb.

Here's the plant from above:


Here's the roots (what you can see of them, anyway):


And I noticed two of the leaves have keikis growing (so there's a rescue plan...):



Thanks for your input

If you'd like larger versions of the pictures, they're available from https://picasaweb.google.com/james.s...hidsOnABalcony

[Discus]

This plant has now defied expectations and flowered. And has another flower on the way...

Plants!

Here's a taster picture:

There are more in my blog post over at Orchids on a Balcony - Restrepia trichoglossa in bloom.

[RosieC]

that's great news. I love restrepia flowers.

[31drew31]

Glad its coming around for you!

Nice pictures too!

[Discus]

Thanks RosieC, 31drew31