Rhynchostylis

Family. Orchidaceae.

Origin. India, China.

Description. Rhynchostylis is an epiphytic orchid with long, hanging aerial roots. With age can form a short trunk. The leaves are belt-shaped, green, up to 30 cm long, gracefully curved, growing from one another - in two rows. Peduncles are long, leafless. At the tops of the peduncles there are inflorescences - multi-flowered, drooping racemes up to 40 cm long, with many small, but very brightly colored, fragrant flowers in shades of white, purple, pink, blue. The diameter of the buds varies from 2.5 to 4 cm.

Height. About 20 - 60 cm.

Care

Temperature conditions

Rhynchostylis do not have a pronounced dormant period and can be kept all year round at normal room temperature. 

Lighting

The orchid requires a brightly lit place with a lot of reflected sunlight. If there is insufficient lighting, artificial supplementary lighting with fluorescent lamps is used. With sufficient lighting, the leaves acquire a pinkish hue.

Growing at home

Unfortunately, rhynchostylis is not the easiest orchid to grow indoors. This species requires a lot of heat and high humidity with good air circulation. The flower does not tolerate sudden changes in conditions; if you decide to move the orchid to another location, acclimatize it gradually.

Substrate for orchids

A coarse soil consisting of small pieces of pine or spruce bark, sphagnum moss, peat, fern fibers, with the addition of perlite or vermiculite and charcoal such as perlite or chopped sphagnum moss, the pH is slightly acidic. 

Feeding

During the growth period, feed 2 times a month with fertilizers for orchids, diluted to half the recommended dose. Using fertilizer with a high phosphorus content promotes abundant flowering. 

Purpose

Rhynchostylis is a very showy orchid that will look great when grown in a hanging basket. When cut, the flowers quickly lose their attractiveness.

Flowering time

It blooms most abundantly in spring and summer. With proper care and good conditions, repeated autumn blooming is possible. Flowers open sequentially, and the flowering period can be 1-2 months.

Air humidity

Humidity should be between 50-70% on average, and the plant should be kept in a well-ventilated room with constant air circulation. Place the pot on a tray filled with wet pebbles, or use a room humidifier. You can surround the pot with a layer of damp sphagnum or spray the leaves with soft, room-temperature water, being careful not to let water get on the flowers and buds. Spraying should be done in the morning so that the moisture evaporates from the plants before dark.

Watering

The soil surface should dry out between waterings during the period of active growth of rhynchostylis. Excess moisture that appears in the pan after watering should be drained. For watering, use only soft water at room temperature. In winter, reduce the frequency of watering. 

Transfer

Replanting should be done only when necessary - representatives of this species do not tolerate it well. For growing, it is preferable to use plastic pots, the walls of which help to retain moisture, but they must have large drainage holes. Rhynchostylis is replanted in the spring, with the beginning of growth and before flowering. This orchid will bloom more readily in slightly cramped conditions. Adult specimens are replanted every 2-3 years. Do not compact the soil after planting - it must provide air access to the roots.

Reproduction

Propagated by dividing large adult plants during transplantation or by daughter shoots.

Pests and diseases

Rhynchostylis that receive proper care rarely suffer from diseases. Overwatering and insufficient drainage cause plants to rot. Lack of light prevents flowering. The tips of the leaves dry out and turn brown when there is insufficient air humidity.

Among the harmful insects, plants can be annoyed by mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and scale insects.