Rhynchostylis Gigantea Alba & Lavender spot blooming

[RhynT]

My Rhynchostylis gigantea Alba and two of the Lavender Spot varieties are blooming. The Alba started to bloom in late November, followed by the one with light lavender spots. These are first time bloomers, each with one small spike. The one with darker spots was a gift and is more mature, sent out two spikes. Long lasting flowers and wonderful fragrance. The alba has been blooming for 6 weeks and the flowers are still pure white and beautiful. Grown on window sill, in pots, and quite tolerant (while in spike, they were left home unattended for 2 weeks while we were on vacation -- didn't seem to hurt much. The spikes on the matured one are rather short, probably from lack of care & water during our absence.)
Together, they fill my house with lovely fragrance. I'm still looking for the lavender with the medium size spots...

[Picotee]

Just love these beauties. Three of mine are currently budding up, an alba and two purples. I'm hoping the orange will join the party soon.

[rastafouni]

What a gorgeous display of blooms representing difference varieties of this wonderful species.

Congrats, it is very nice.

[nikkik]

Gorgeous!!! These are some of my favorite orchids!

[RhynT]

Picotee, Philipe, nikkik,
Thank you. These are my favorite too. Growing them for the first time. Hope will get longer spikes next year.

[flexdc]

I am so jealous! I have a Rhy retusa x coelestis that just refuses to bloom.
I growing outside here in LA Nught temps around 50, in S/H. What is your trick?

Thanks
Andrew

[RhynT]

Hi Andrew,
This is my first attempt with Rhynchostylis in USA. Rhyn Giganteas seem to be easier to grow than Retusa. I grow my Giganteas in pots on my South window, water the big one once/week and the small ones about twice/week, feed them with 1/4 strenghth Orchid food. My Retusa sent out a spike last year in the Summer. The whole spike was aborted when it was about 4 - 5 inches long. It hasn't done anything since then. I love these species because I used to grow them when I was little. In Singapore, where I come from, these grow everywhere, hanging on trees and bloom so freely with minimal of care...

[flexdc]

Thanks for the tip.
I will move my Rhyncostylis to the unheated garage and see what happens.
Night time temp there around 55 or so. But day time in 70s since it has a south facing window
Andrew

[WhiteRabbit]

Gorgeous!

[RhynT]

Thanks Sonya.

Picotee, please post the pictures of your Rhynchostylis when you have them. I'm also looking for an orange one. Where did you get yours?