Orchid species first described by John Lindley in 1869 (according to some authors, by Henry Nicholas Ridley in 1986), Rhynchostylis Gigantea inhabits Southeast Asia, in Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China (Hainan), Borneo, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. It is the national, emblematic flower of the Indian state of Assam.
Rhynchostylis Gigantea differs from species of the genus Vanda by the labellum which has a single lobe.
Discover here the selection of Vanda and Rhynchostylis from Secret Garden (link).
The accepted synonyms are Anota densiflora, Anota gigantea, Anota hainanensis, Anota harrisoniana, Anota violacea, Gastrochilus giganteus, Gastrochilus violaceus, Rhynchostylis gigantea f. harrisoniana, Rhynchostylis gigantea subsp. violacea, Rhynchostylis violacea, Saccolabium albolineatum, Saccolabium giganteum, Saccolabium giganteum var. illustre, Saccolabium giganteum var. petotianum, Saccolabium harrisonianum, Saccolabium violaceum, Saccolabium violaceum var. harrisonianum, Vanda densiflora, Vanda hainanensis.
This taxon is remarkable for its massive inflorescences, compact, raceme-shaped, with flowers relatively similar to those of Vanda, but smaller in size (2.5 - 3.8 cm diameter), with an intense, sweetish fragrance, reminiscent of clove aroma. Due to the considerable area occupied, there are numerous clones and color variations, from white to dark red or violet, with intermediate spotted forms.
A medium-sized monopodial species, it prefers warm to very warm climate, and occupies epiphytic stations, reaching up to 61 cm in height, with a solid stem about 10 cm long, bearing large, rigid, basally overlapping, linear leaves with longitudinal grooves, sharply lobed apically, up to 30 cm long and 5 - 7.5 cm wide.
The flowers appear on the curved floral stem, approximately 30 cm long, racemose, and form dense clusters of flowers that last for almost two weeks. Known flower colors are deep red, amethyst, scarlet, white, orange.
The light radiation requirements of this species are high, 30000 - 40000 lux, preferring strong light, but not direct, as this can cause sunburn on the leaves.
A thermophilic species, it prefers daytime temperatures of 32 - 33 °C and nighttime temperatures of 24 - 25 °C. The average daytime temperature in spring will be 34 - 35 °C, with minimums of 24 - 26 °C. During winter, temperatures of 31 - 33 °C during the day and minimums of 20 - 23 °C at night will be ensured.
In terms of preferences for humidity, it will be around 80% for most of the year, decreasing to 70 - 75% during winter and early spring.
As a growing medium, it is recommended to grow it loosely suspended, through numerous aerial roots. Baskets or wooden boxes made from slats can be used, in which a coarse substrate with very large granulation, made of bark, can be added (or not). In this cultivation system, it is necessary to ensure abundant and proper irrigation, as well as a high level of humidity. The plants will be watered at least once a day, even several times a day on hot days.
Another recommended cultivation system is pots with a very loose substrate, which allows rapid drying after watering. Good results are obtained with mixtures in equal parts of large pieces of conifer bark and charcoal, or possibly just charcoal.
It does not tolerate well substrate and environment changes, but if the species is grown in containers with bark substrate, it will be necessary to change it every year, as possible substrate decomposition can quickly lead to root system rot.
Rhynchostylis reacts much better if substrate change is done at the time of new root development. Since flower spikes emerge from the base of the stem, deep burying of it in the substrate is not recommended.
Water availability varies significantly in the natural environment inhabited by this orchid, with rainfall being abundant or very abundant. The rainy season starts at the beginning of spring and lasts until autumn. Then the dry season sets in, lasting 3 - 4 months, in winter and early spring. Cultivated plants should be watered abundantly during the growth period, but continuous aeration of the roots must be ensured throughout this time, allowing them to dry quickly. For plants grown in containers, generous watering of the growing medium will not be allowed.
Fertilization will occur weekly during the active growth period, administered at 25 - 50% of the dose recommended by the manufacturer. Fertilizers can be used throughout the year, but one can also opt for formulas with higher nitrogen concentrations from spring to mid-summer and with higher phosphorus concentration at the end of summer and autumn.
The resting period will be ensured by reducing the amount of water during winter, allowing the substrate to dry between waterings. If humidity is high in the growing rooms during winter, watering can be omitted, limiting to spraying the leaves and roots in the morning. In low humidity conditions, however, consistent watering will be necessary. Fertilization will be stopped until the normal watering routine resumes in spring.
Discover here the selection of Vanda and Rhynchostylis from Secret Garden (link).
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