Restrepia falkenbergii - advice on growing conditions

[eccles]

Hi

I'm a newcomer to the wonderful world of growing orchids.

Recently I purchased a Restrepia falkenbergii at a local show. The person at the seller's table was a "sitter" and couldn't tell me much about the required growing conditions. I put it in a net pot with some sphagnum moss, and kept it moist. It seems to be hanging in, but the bit that puzzles me is that the leaves seem "upside down" i.e the back of the leaf is exposed to light.

I've searched the web, but I haven't been able to find much information about this plant. Can anyone give me any advice re: potting medium, light temp and water requirements?

For comparison, I have a Masd. Veitchiana in the same space that is currently producing flowers almost once a week.

Thanks
Ed

[31drew31]

I would grow it slightly warmer than the masdevallia(65-70), and a little less light. Gauge the light on what the leaves look like, they turn a very deep red/purple when getting too much light. Sphagnum is fine, and water once the top seems dry so that the roots always stay moist. Mine do better when the humidity is 60%+.

Do you have a picture of it? Flowers of restrepias come from the back side, but never had one growing "backwards"

[eccles]

Thanks for your quick response.

Although it's not clear in the image, the two leaves in the centre of the pot are "face down", and the others are all rotated to varying degrees.

I'm growing under 3 x 23W daylight CFL's - using a light meter I estimate I've got about 1000 ft candles

Ed

[31drew31]

Looks good to me. 1000 fc sounds about right.

The plant you have was grown from a keiki, the leaves may have just grown funny. Nothing to be worried about though.

[eccles]

Thanks, that's reassuring.

One of the leaves has a keiki starting. Do you have any idea when I can expect it to start flowering?

Ed

[31drew31]

If its liking the conditions its being given your plant could flower at anytime. Restrepia's can flower basically all year round.

If you mean the keiki, Im not sure, maybe a years time once it has a few good sized leaves. Not sure on that one.

Andrew

[eccles]

Sorry... my post was a bit ambiguous I should have separated the questions.... the flowering question referred to the existing plant, not the emerging keiki

Thanks

[eccles]

A follow-up on this thread. I transferred my plant to semi-hydroponics and it seems to be doing well. It has produced three healthy new leaves and a bud (is that the correct term in the orchid world?) from the back of one of the original leaves.

One of the other original leaves has a bunch of what seems like small roots - I assume that this is a keiki? How do I get it to develop into a new plant? Do I just cut it off and plant it...? Or is there some special orchid magic...? :-)

Thanks
Ed