Rhynchostylis gigantea ‘Lavender Spots’

[Bud]

Thank You for the visit and your comments, Philippe!

[RhynT]

Thank you for posting the beautiful pictures of your Rhyn. Gigantea and a summary of how to. That is very helpful.
Do you still have this orchid and how is it doing?
Rhyn. gigantea is my most loved kind of orchid. I used to grow them when I was in my teens in Singapore. Over there, I just tied them to a big tree and let nature do the rest. Since relocated to the NW of USA, I really miss them but just don't know how to take care of them here with cooler & drier climate. Your post gave me hope and I just ordered and received a blooming size lavender w/spots. It is just a bit smaller than yours. I hope I can keep it alive & blooming in the coming winter.
Thanks.

[pheli]

Very nice! The plant looks so healthy.

[nikkik]

Bud, that's fantastically beautiful!! All I can say about your recent bloom photos is WOW!!!

[Bud]

Originally Posted by nikkik

Bud, that's fantastically beautiful!! All I can say about your recent bloom photos is WOW!!!

Thank You for your kind encouraging words, nikkik!!!!

---------- Post added at 05:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:14 PM ----------

Originally Posted by pheli

Very nice! The plant looks so healthy.

Thank You !!!!

---------- Post added at 05:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:14 PM ----------

Originally Posted by RhynT

Thank you for posting the beautiful pictures of your Rhyn. Gigantea and a summary of how to. That is very helpful.
Do you still have this orchid and how is it doing?
Rhyn. gigantea is my most loved kind of orchid. I used to grow them when I was in my teens in Singapore. Over there, I just tied them to a big tree and let nature do the rest. Since relocated to the NW of USA, I really miss them but just don't know how to take care of them here with cooler & drier climate. Your post gave me hope and I just ordered and received a blooming size lavender w/spots. It is just a bit smaller than yours. I hope I can keep it alive & blooming in the coming winter.
Thanks.

Thanks for the visit and encouragements.
I too have this hit or miss way of growing orchids and I happen to grow them well because I make it a point to learn about their origins and habitat then try to give them the temperature and humidity they are used to. I also feed them since watering is just not enough.
You are in a grow zone where you can have this plant outdoors but the moment it go down to 50F; bring them indoors for warmth....even in the sunny Florida zone they can have frost two weeks a year and it will kill this plant if exposed to an overnight frost in the 30's.
Trust your instincts since you have already grown this plant.....you will be successful in making your plant bloom.

[RhynT]

Bud, my Rhy Gigantea is currently outside, under a cypress where it gets some direct morning sun and filtered sun for the rest of the day. Daytime temperature is between 76F-96F. Nighttime temperature has dipped down to as low as 54F occasionally. Humidity on hot days is low, between 35-45% mid day, higher on mornings and evenings. I don't think I've provided the right kind of humidity for it to thrive. I understand Rhy Gigatea loves high humidity, probably between 70-80%. Should I find a way to raise the humidity level around it? I'm dying waiting for it to bloom it first bloom this winter. This orchid is bringing back lots of childhood memories and I'm spending more time on it than on myself at the moment. I hope it appreciates it.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by RhynT

Bud, my Rhy Gigantea is currently outside, under a cypress where it gets some direct morning sun and filtered sun for the rest of the day. Daytime temperature is between 76F-96F. Nighttime temperature has dipped down to as low as 54F occasionally. Humidity on hot days is low, between 35-45% mid day, higher on mornings and evenings. I don't think I've provided the right kind of humidity for it to thrive. I understand Rhy Gigatea loves high humidity, probably between 70-80%. Should I find a way to raise the humidity level around it? I'm dying waiting for it to bloom it first bloom this winter. This orchid is bringing back lots of childhood memories and I'm spending more time on it than on myself at the moment. I hope it appreciates it.

Do not worry. Your placement of the plant is good. It is not advisable to keep on moving its position except if there is threat of frost.
If you are worried about humidity you can always water the plant in the morning and early afternoon in the hot days.
I know of a member who waters Vandacious plants everyday in spite of the high humidity in your grow zone and posts pictures of such magnificent blooms.
Nothing beats the equatorial grow zone, it is ideal for growing orchids.

[RhynT]

Thanks for the tips, Bud. With my worries about the lack of humidity aside, I'm thinking about ordering a Rhy Gigantea Alba. I have a Rhy Retusa in spike and am keeping it indoors by my SouthWest window. I'm growing it in a vase and looks like it likes it there. Will post pictures when it is in bloom.

[Bud]

This gave me only one spike this time yet it got larger flowers with such vivid colors....the fragrance is even more pronounced.

[dendro king]

Very nice! You must get the rhy gigantia red, the scent of that blows the others out of the park!! Nicely grown bud!