Rhynchostylis (gigantea) - Flower spike?

[WaterWitchin]

There's no text to go with your post. Do you need assistance?

[Maxx]

Hmm that's strange, as there was the following text when I posted it yesterday

Hi All,

This is my rescue Rhynchostylis (presumably a gigantea) purchased at a garden centre this spring.

Fortunately it has put out some new leaves and good thick roots since then, and now I believe its is also spiking, but somehow the spike grows very slowly.

I noticed the spike about 3 weeks ago, and this is the current condition. Is this normal, or is something wrong with it?

Thanks all!

Pictures

[Orchidtinkerer]

Hi Max,
the leaves look in good shape and it looks like you are looking after it well, seems a good size too however it hasn't got enough roots to support it flowering I would guess.
This will be the condition it came in so one more year of growing more roots and it should be strong enough.
I wouldn't worry too much if this spike doesn't develop, that can happen on the first blooming attempt and it does not have many roots for the size of the plant yet.

[Maxx]

Originally Posted by Orchidtinkerer

Hi Max,
the leaves look in good shape and it looks like you are looking after it well, seems a good size too however it hasn't got enough roots to support it flowering I would guess...

Based on the dried up spike remains it already had flowered before, but it is true that I had to cut away a lot of rotten old roots when I purchased it, but it has grown some new ones in the pot (I keep ti bare rooted with daily soaking, therefore no media is in it).

[Fairorchids]

While Rhy gigantea cannot handle the same hight light level of true Vandas (which can tolerate full sun, if you water enough), the leaves on this plant are too dark green. You need to provide higher light, so the leaves turn more of a yellowish green.

[SouthPark]

Also - where is this orchid grown? And what are the growing conditions? Humidity, temperature, etc. Or does it grow right there in front of the heater/radiator?

[Maxx]

Thanks for the comments! Unfortunately as I live in the city in an apartment, my growing conditions and possibilities are pretty limited.

All my orchids are either on the windowill of a W facing window (mostly my Vandas, that are also blooming), or on a self-built grow shelf beside it, with supplementary LED lighting and humidifier. The temperature is around 22-24 C and humidity is 60-65% in the summer and 50-55% in the winter.

Here is a pic for better understanding

[Orchidtinkerer]

In a west facing window a gigantea would only require 5 watts of additional LED lighting directly above the plant.

I would have thought the fact it has produced a flower spike indicated it is receiving enough light but it could handle more light till some slight purpling develops on the leaves, definetely.

The previous flower spike was developed when the plant previously had more roots and who knows if it developed at all at the time.

It is easy to think you are doing something wrong when all that is needed is patience. But do make sure it gets enough light like Kim says

[WaterWitchin]

From the picture, it looks to me like you're doing a darned fine job growing under your conditions and so-called limitations! What a nice setup!

[Maxx]

Happy update