Gastrochilus bellinus

[Bud]

Gastrochilus is from the Greek "gaster" (belly) and "cheilos" (lip) referring to the shape of the lip of this species. This orchid plant was discovered in Burma by Boxall in 1873. At that time, however, it was introduced to the world by the great orchid firm of Low and Co. as Saccolabium bellinum and it was much accepted under that name until O. Kuntze decided to classify it as Gastrochilus in 1891.
Its earlier name, Saccolabium, is derived from "saccus" (a bag) and "labium" (a lip). I imagine the lip to have a better descriptive adjective than belly or a bag and is one of the striking features of this orchid plant as my pictures present.
I had grown a few Gastrochilus species (G. dasypogon & G. japonicus) over the years but had never seen G. bellinus until Pupsy Dog showed this as an item on Ebay for auction a couple of years ago.
I always make it a point to cherish plants obtained from a dear friend and, to ensure plant survival, give another division to a friend - they might grow it better than you! And ever since I gave a party and had some of my miniatures stolen from me, it is always wise to know you can still get them from a reliable friend.
This is endemic or found growing in forest of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Southern China at elevations of 600 to 1700 meters.
My first experience with this Gastrochilus bellinus or my attempt to grow this species since I inherited it mounted on a tree fern slab= Disaster! I almost killed it….my environment was too dry….I looked at the strong fleshy roots so I tried a medium coarse bark mix in a plastic pot with a deep saucer of water under (making sure it doesn’t wet the roots)….the roots quickly stuck to the media and the orchid plant is now growing strongly.
I find it necessary to mist the plant twice a day in summer and I "dunk" it once a week in k-lite fertilizer and seaweed mix….this orchid plant loves my east facing bathroom window where it gets hot steamy showers with me in the mornings.