An intergeneric hybrid, complex in terms of the species used, Perreiraara Rapeepath is a vandaceous that impresses at first sight with its small, compact size, abundant flowers, exuberant coloration, and strong fragrance, proving that it represents the effort of various growers to obtain the best possible from the known genera.
Registered at the Royal Horticultural Society in 2015 by the Thai breeder Wuttiphan Keesanga, Perreiraara Rapeepath is a hybrid between Perreiraara Bangkok Sunset, as the seed parent, and Vandachostylis Pine Rivers, as the pollen parent. The specific composition of this spectacular hybrid is as follows: Rhynchostylis coelestis 37.5%, Aerides houlletiana 25%, Vanda flabellata 12.5%, Vanda curvifolia 12.5%, Vanda coerulea 6.64%, Vanda sanderiana 4.69%, Vanda luzonica 0.78%, Vanda tricolor 0.39%, including 8 botanical species from 3 different genera. Like most hybrids that used Rhynchorides Bangkok Sunset as the seed parent, Rapeepath surprises with its small, compact size, which solves the space aspect, often restrictive for vandaceous collectors, and equally, through the multitude of flowers and flower stems, reminiscent of the dominant parent, Rhynchostylis, through the compact habit of the semi-pendent inflorescences.
It grows in exclusive epiphytic stations, with a monopodial habit, but often forms basal keikis, which over time can generate impressive plant clusters. The average stem length is around 20 – 30 cm, and on it alternate fleshy leaves, 10 – 20 cm long and up to 2 cm wide, are inserted.
Flowering occurs on erect to arching stems, with many flowers (15 - 25) with a waxy appearance, fragrant, emerging from early summer until late autumn. The flowers, 2 – 3 cm in diameter, have an impressive color range, with shades of white, yellow, pink, cyclamen, violet, somewhat distributed in gradients over the entire surface of the corolla.
Due to the same criterion, namely descending from Rhynchostylis, it inherits from it the ease of cultivation, preferring a warm climate, with 31 – 32 ℃ during summer days, and 23 – 24℃ at night, with 34 – 36℃ during the day in spring and 18 – 23 ℃ at night, and with 29 – 32 ℃ during the day and 13 – 14℃ at night in winter.
Light radiation will be in the range of 30000 – 40000 lux, preferring filtered and diffused light, without being exposed directly to sunlight, and always ensuring good ventilation.
Perreiraara Rapeepath requires an atmospheric humidity level of 70 – 85% from summer until early autumn, then this should be progressively reduced to 60% during the cold period until early spring.
The ideal cultivation method is with bare roots, in a glass container or mounted in wooden baskets, without substrate, or with large, coarse pieces of bark around the roots; however, in this case, increased attention to irrigation needs will be necessary.
If you prefer cultivation in substrate, you should know that this hybrid does not do well with aged, decomposed substrate, but it also does not react well to its change. It is recommended to use a mix of large and medium bark, amended with pieces of charcoal in equal proportion. Although the reaction to transplanting is not positive, annual substrate change is recommended, as its decomposition will lead to rapid degradation of the root system.
Irrigations will be abundant in the warm season, then adjusted in the cold season, also taking into account the ambient temperature.
Fertilizations will be carried out weekly during the active growth period, at concentrations of 25 – 50% of the manufacturer’s recommended dosage, using a balanced fertilizer throughout the year, or a nitrogen-rich fertilizer during the growth period from spring until mid-summer, and a phosphorus-rich one during the flowering period, from late summer until early autumn.
Since Perreiraara Rapeepath has low requirements regarding the irrigation parameter during winter, it can be concluded that the winter period represents the resting phase for this hybrid. During this period, irrigations will be very rare, possibly monthly, replaced by occasional spraying of the roots to prevent the plants from completely drying out. Equally, fertilization will be stopped during this period and will resume with the restart of the irrigation cycle.
Tolerance to low light radiation conditions recommends this hybrid for any collector.
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