Gastrochilas somai

[Ross]

Finally in bloom. These little guys bloom once a year (spring in Northern Hemisphere). They appreciate medium light (approx like Phals) and very high humidity. Mine is grown under t5 florescents in 90+ percent humidity and 62-72 degrees F.



I fertilize twice per week but the whole tank gets misted 4-5 times per "day" for 5 seconds.

[Paul]

Nice Ross! Had one of those once but lost it. I was trying to grow it mounted outside of a terr. Bad idea. Haven't been able to find a reasonably priced one since. Did find a G. japonica though so although I like somai better, I can see how japonica will do in my terr.

How do you get misting intervals of 5 sec? Using a timer?

[Tindomul]

These are soo cool. OK, one last question before I decide to go and get some. Do they require rest periods?

[Ross]

See my article on home page for complete description. Summary, I use the Encore interval timer Mist King sells plugged into a Home Depot appliance timer. The appliance timer is set to "on" between 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM. During this period the Encore is set to mist for 5 seconds every 4 hours.

Andys Orchids has good supplies of Gastrochilas (various spp) at reasonable prices. I got mine there.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

These are soo cool. OK, one last question before I decide to go and get some. Do they require rest periods?

Nope! They grow just like Haraella. Go for it Tin, you'll be glad you did. Only difference between the two spp in a terrarium is size (Gastrochilas is slightly larger, not much though) and Gastrochilas blooms once a year as opposed to Haraella which blooms constantly. You'll love it. Andy's should have it, but it isn't listed right now - just call and see if in stock.

[Lagoon]

Very nice, I like this alot

[Tindomul]

Do you think that blooming is tied to a lighting schedule? Are they cued to bloom in spring because of the increased daylength?

[Ross]

Don't know the answer to that Tin. I have had the same regime for lighting (same "day" length since I got it and it just bloomed. What it will do next year I don't know. I plan to start reducing "day" length in half hour increments after July, so maybe it will stay on schedule? I think this is less an experiment than cross breeding Phal with Haraella

[Tindomul]

Agree! But it would be frustrating to have a well established rooted Gastro in my viv, where I would have to traumatize it to remove it because it never blooms. Then again, I could always keep it for the foliage

[Gin]

I have 3 others not the one Ross has , they are in small slat baskets one is in a pot all bloom fine nothing special done for them .. Beautiful blooms Ross . Gin