A botanical species of Philippine origin, described by Oakes Ames in 1915, Renanthera derives its genus name from the Latin word renis, meaning kidney, and the Greek Anthos, meaning flower, indicating that the petal shape is kidney-shaped.
In its natural range in the Philippines, the species inhabits the Quezon, Rizal, and Zambales provinces on Luzon Island, and Surigao province on Mindanao Island. It generally grows in epiphytic stations on trees in open, grassy areas at altitudes above 500 m above sea level. It has a medium size, 30 – 60 cm tall, with leathery leaves 15 – 19 cm long and 1 – 2 cm wide, distichous, ligulate, uneven, and obtusely bilobed apically, a typical appearance for the genus Vanda and related genera.
Sometimes called the Spanish dancer due to the appearance of its flowers, the orchid Renanthera monachica is notable for its spectacular blooms on simple, lax racemose, suberect axillary stems, equipped with tubular bracts, blooming from late winter to spring. It bears 6 – 30 flowers about 4 cm in diameter, scentless but long-lasting. Their color is pale orange, covered with abundant blood-red spots arranged irregularly.
The Renanthera monachica orchid requires abundant lighting, with light radiation values ranging from 40000 to 50000 lux, preferring exposure to intense but at least partially filtered light during the afternoon. Ensuring efficient ventilation is absolutely necessary.
Renanthera monachica is a thermophilic species, preferring an average daytime temperature of 29 – 31°C in summer and at least 22°C at night, with a day-to-night difference of 7 - 9 °C. In spring, the average daytime temperature will be 31 – 32°C and 20 – 22 °C at night, with a range of 10 – 11 °C, while in winter the temperature values fall within 28 – 29 °C during the day and a minimum of 19 °C at night, with a difference of 9 – 11°C.
This species is not as demanding as representatives of the Vanda genus and their hybrids regarding relative humidity of the environment, preferring values of 80–85% during summer and autumn, which will be reduced to 70% during winter until early spring.
Renanthera monachica prefers cultivation in hanging pots or wooden boxes filled with aerated substrate, with strong drainage, containing large pieces of charcoal, bark, cork, and coconut fiber. Some plants are given only as much substrate as needed for rooting, allowing the roots to grow outside the containers later. Root pruning is not recommended, as this type of intervention slows plant growth by several years.
Watering will be abundant during summer and autumn, but in winter, for a period of 3–4 months, it should be reduced. The growing medium should remain constantly moist during active growth.
Fertilizations are recommended weekly, at 25–50% dilution compared to the concentration indicated by the manufacturer. Fertilizers with a higher nitrogen content should be chosen during spring and summer, and a fertilizer rich in phosphorus from late summer to autumn.
This species requires a rest period, consisting of stopping fertilization and reducing watering, but it is not absolutely necessary, as a dry season cannot be clearly distinguished in its natural environment. Ideally, for those who prefer to provide a rest period, it will take place during the winter months.
Renanthera monachica can be purchased here (link).
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