Rhynchostylis retusa

[Plodde]

Originally Posted by Picotee

Congrats on the spikes! This is one of my favorite Rhy's and I'm hoping mine will rebloom this summer. Hope you'll post a picture when the buds open. Good luck!

I will definitely give everyone an update once the first flower has opened and then another one once all the flowers have opened.
I have never seen these flowers in person but they have already become one of my favorites.
I've become a real sucker for pendant orchids/ vandaceous orchids.

[Plodde]

Happy to report that my Rhyn. retusa has gone into bloom.
first flower spike appeared on 2/19/15. First bud opened on 4/30/15.
A beautiful spotted flower. the fragrance is very subtle and sweet at the moment but i assume as time goes on the fragrance will get stronger.
I LOVE these little flowers! they are amazing. I recommend this vandaceous orchid for any orchid lover!

Question: Does anyone know how long these flowers usually last?

[tryingtoflower]

It's beautiful.

[Plodde]

Another update!! 3 out of 4 spikes in bloom. One more on the way shortly.
This is my idea of a perfect orchid. Pendant, fragrant ( very sweet and powerful), Vandaceous. It's something every orchid lover should have ( in my opinion ; ).
I have it hanging above my sink and when I'm doing the dishes i get swifts of the sweet fragrance.
Heres some more pictures for your viewing pleasure.

[RosieC]

Ooh, really lovely!

[lotis146]

That's fantastic! So what practices do you follow for its care?

[Plodde]

Originally Posted by lotis146

That's fantastic! So what practices do you follow for its care?

Honestly the only thing I do is soak it daily and keep it warm! I also try to keep the humidity as high as possible which is very hard for me as I live in the desert and have my ac on pretty much all day. This really drys out the air but I can still manage to keep some areas of my house at 50% HUMDITY with the help of a humidifier.

[JambaJungle]

It is widely accepted that stressing a plant can indeed cause it to go into flower. Many growers here in FL, including many professional growers, recommend crushing the stem of vandaceous orchids to stimulate flowering.
Although stressing the plant may work, I feel providing ideal growing situations is a more positive route to follow.

Regarding water, it is very true that dry periods are often required by a plant to stimulate it into flower, however I don't believe there is any merit to a plant growing faster by withholding water.

[Plodde]

Originally Posted by JambaJungle

It is widely accepted that stressing a plant can indeed cause it to go into flower. Many growers here in FL, including many professional growers, recommend crushing the stem of vandaceous orchids to stimulate flowering.
Although stressing the plant may work, I feel providing ideal growing situations is a more positive route to follow.

Regarding water, it is very true that dry periods are often required by a plant to stimulate it into flower, however I don't believe there is any merit to a plant growing faster by withholding water.

duly noted!
I try to give it as ideal conditions as possible.
This is one of my most prized orchids and hope to pass it on to my grandkids one day!