Rhynchostylis retusa cultivation enquiry

[pixieStar]

Hello Everyone,

I am seeking cultural advice on Rhynchostylis retusa. I just got one and am feeling intimidated about how exactly to care for it and have had a hard time tracking down any info about how to do so.

This orchid came to me in a plastic bucket with nothing in the pot except one big chunk of something organic that I think was meant to retain moisture and increase humidity. I have since relocated him setting him as gently as possible in a terra cotta pot on top of some rocks and over a tray of water (so basically is bare root and set in a humidity device). He is in a corner that gets lots of bright light but no direct sun. I have been misting him 3 or 4 times a day trying to make him comfortable in his new environment and after the trauma of shipping.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Should I simply cultivate him like I have read to cultivate a rhynostylis gigantia?

I seem to be doing the best these days with vandacious orchids and so hoped this guy and I might be happy with one another.

Thank you all in advance for your support!

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[nenella]

I don't know but I believe it's like vanda... So you shouldn't have a problem
Have a look at this:
Rhynchostylis retusa, Rhynchostylis retusa Orchids, Rhynchostylis retusa Orchid Care
hopefully someone with experience will be able to give you a better answer. I Look forward to seeing how you do! good luck!

[pixieStar]

Thank you nenella. Every bit of info helps me piece it together a little more. I'll post some more photos as it progresses and hopefully add some information on cultivation when I see forward progress.

[rastafouni]

Yes, usually Rhyncho are grown like Vanda but with a bit less light : that's mean no direct sun but still a lot lot of light.
I think that you can grow your retusa like a gigantea. I mean, for myself, I do grow all my Rhynchostylis (gigantea +coelestis + retusa) the same way and , until now, it seems to work well.

[pixieStar]

Thank you rastafouni! What kind of potting medium do you have your rhynostylis in and how often you water and mist or how you keep the humidity? That would be really great.

[rastafouni]

What rate of humidity do you have ? It's ,as light, quite important. I grow outdoor in a hot humid environment ,bare roots , no media. I water one time a day and never mist. But only because there's enough humidity, you'll need to do it if there's not enough. If you growing bare roots (as it seems from the pict), watering everyday , in the morning if possible, is a good idea unless temperatures are low.But Rhynchostylis really don't like cool/cold climate.

[pixieStar]

Thank you rastafouni. I'll take it one day at a time checking for progress or regression and adjust humidity accordingly.

[wonderlen3000]

Make sure you get the humidity level high. If you are growing it in a house, you have to water daily or at least mist several times a day. One way to do is add a few spanish moss or large chunk of lava rock inside the pot. They will soak the water and keep the plant humid for a few hours between each watering.

Keep in mind Rhyncostylis are very slow growing and this particular one like warm/intermediate condition during spring to summer with lots of water and feeding. Bright difuse light is ideal (around normal Cattleya range). Keep the plant a little drier in fall and cooler than gigantea (retusea come from higher elevation than gigantea) and give the plant a few week of resting. It normally bloom from fall to winter. You can cultivate this way for Rhy. coelestics as well. If you keep it warm all year round both species, it will not be very robust and bloom frequently.