Orchid of the day: Rhyncostylis gigantea

Rhyncostylis gigantea

Rhynchostylis gigantea is a Vanda-like species from Southeast Asia which recently became unusually popular for a pure species.  One reason for its popularity is the many colour varieties that exist.  To that comes very long-lasting flowers with pleasant fragrance and its bloom season which happens to be right smack in the cold months of January-February.

Rhy. gigantea is an extremely slow-growing orchid.  We acquired this plant in 2015, having two small leaves and since then it has finally become large enough to bloom for the first time this year.  Other than that it is an easy plant to care for as long as it can grow in moderate light with not too cold temperatures year round.

As it loves to have its roots exposed to air, Arne grows this plant in a cedar basket with almost no substrate; the roots just climb the wood.  It enjoys growing outdoors in the hot and humid Baltimore summer. 

A) December 10th, 2017.

We have had this orchid since 2015 and finally we see a flower stem developing.

B) A close up of the developing inflorescent.
Difficult to predict the outcome at this stage on December 10th.

C) The entire orchid by January 12, 2018.
Clear development of the flower buds was observed.

D) We can estimated about eighteen to twenty flowers here.

E) By February 6th, most of the flowers had opened.

F) Zooming into the flower cluster. What beautiful colours!

G) White with speckles of purple.
Or vice versa, depending on how you wish to see it!

H) Our Ryncostylis gigantea. Smells like sweet candy!

I hope you enjoy my post today.

Another orchid that we will look forward to the beautiful flowers each year.

Until my next post, as usual have a great week.