Restrepia striata/brachypus

[cmoonbeam1]

Hi! I would like to post about this orchid as I have one that has only just started blooming! This marks the second non-phalaenopsis orchid ever that has bloomed in my care, following the onset of my orchid addiction...

I had it sitting on the shelving unit with my other orchids by a northwest-facing glass door with a supplementary fluorescent bulb a couple of feet above where it sat. I didn't water it as much as I should have, and I got a couple of accordion-pleated leaves, as well as no buds. :/

I started to research the care a little more, and read that it likes very high humidity... in my quest to find out more about how to provide it, I encountered the assertion that humidity sinks rather than rises. So, I got a large vase and put it in there with some damp sphagnum, uncovered, and aimed to spritz the inside walls with rainwater every now and again.

Lo and behold, 5 buds! And the first one has just opened!

I'm so proud of the little guy.

[No-Pro-mwa]

good for you figuring out how to make the little guy happy. Such a cute bloom.

[wintergirl]

Very cute, good job!!

[cmoonbeam1]

Thanks folks!

[DeaC]

These are very rewarding and not too fussy.Mine are placed on humidity trays in a semi-shady south window. If breezes become too warm I'll place them further away. Watering sev. times/wk. and fert.=success for me. Nice growing,enjoy!

[cmoonbeam1]

Thanks DeaC! One thing I do have to be careful of in using the vase is that in the late evening, it does get a bit of direct sun, though it's weak and through a couple of panes of glass... hopefully I don't cook him! It seems to be going smoothly for now. I gather from your reply they are relatively cool growers?

[DeaC]

Originally Posted by cmoonbeam1

Thanks DeaC! One thing I do have to be careful of in using the vase is that in the late evening, it does get a bit of direct sun, though it's weak and through a couple of panes of glass... hopefully I don't cook him! It seems to be going smoothly for now. I gather from your reply they are relatively cool growers?

I'd say most folks keep them cooler than I do.They most likely have them in a cool environment that may not require daily "touchy-feely" goings on as I think I must do.So my intermediate conditions they seem to be acclimated to,but if things get too warm by the window they get moved.If you are looking to expand to more minis,I've had pretty good success with the warmer growing masdevallias as well...all grouped together.

[cmoonbeam1]

I looove minis and would be pretty into expanding my collection if I can find a good supplier in Canada or that ships to Canada. Masdevallias are intriguing to me but I've been wary about trying to grow them in a home. However, your success gives me hope!

I would also like to try growing lepanthes at some point. So tiny!!

[Tindomul]

Beautiful!!!