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 the species of the Vanda genus by the labellum that possesses a single lobe.

Discover here the selection of Vanda and Rhynchostylis from Secret Garden (link).

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. illustrious , Saccolabium giganteum var. petotianum , Saccolabium harrisonianum , Saccolabium violaceum , Saccolabium violaceum var. harrisonianum , Vanda densiflora , Vanda hainanensis .

This taxon is remarkable for its massive, compact inflorescences , in the form of bunches, with flowers relatively similar to those of Vanda , but small in size (2.5 - 3.8 cm in diameter), with an intense, sweet fragrance , reminiscent of the aroma of cloves . Due to the considerable area occupied, there are numerous clones and color variations, from white, to dark red or purple, with intermediate spotted forms.

Medium-sized monopodial species, prefers a warm to very warm climate, and occupies epiphytic stands, being able to reach a height of 61 cm, with a solid stem of approximately 10 cm, which bears large, rigid, basally nested, linear leaves, which it shows longitudinal grooves, acutely lobed apically, up to 30 cm long and 5 - 7.5 cm wide.

The flowers appear on the arched floral stem, about 30 cm long, racemose, and form dense clusters of flowers, which persist for almost two weeks. The known colors of the flowers are crimson red, amethyst, scarlet, white, orange.

The light radiation requirements of this species are high, 30,000 - 40,000 lux, preferring strong light, but not direct, as this can cause sunburn on the leaves.

Thermophilic species, it prefers daytime temperatures of 32 - 33 °C and night temperatures of 24 - 25 °C. The average daily temperature in the spring period will be 34 - 35 °C, with minimums of 24 - 26 °C. During the winter, temperatures of 31 - 33 °C will be ensured during the day, and minimum temperatures of 20 - 23 °C at night.

From the point of view of preferences for humidity, it will be at 80% for most of the year, dropping to 70 - 75% during winter and at the beginning of spring.

As a culture medium, it is recommended to grow it loosely suspended, by means of the numerous aerial roots. You can use baskets or wooden boxes made of slats, in which you can add (or not) a coarse substrate, with very large grain, made of bark. In this cultivation system, it is necessary to ensure abundant and appropriate 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 culture system is the pots with a very loose substrate , which allows quick drying after irrigation. Good results are obtained with equal parts mixtures of large pieces of conifer bark and coal, or possibly only coal.

It does not tolerate the change of substrate and environment well, but if the species is grown in containers provided with bark substrate, it will be necessary to change it every year, because the possible decomposition of the substrate can quickly lead to rotting of the root system.

Rhynchostylis reacts much better if the substrate is changed at the time of the development of new roots. Since the flower stalks emerge from the base of the stem, it is not recommended to bury it deep in the substrate.

The availability of water varies consistently in the natural environment populated by this orchid, the rains being abundant or very abundant. The rainy season starts at the beginning of spring and lasts until autumn. Then the dry season begins, which lasts 3-4 months, in winter and at the beginning of spring. Cultivated plants will need to be watered abundantly during the growth period, but continuous aeration of the roots must be ensured during all this time, allowing them to dry quickly. For plants grown in containers, generous watering of the culture medium will not be allowed.

Fertilization will have a weekly recurrence during the period of active growth, being administered at 25 - 50% of the dose recommended by the manufacturer. Fertilizers can be used throughout the year, but you can also opt for formulas with higher concentrations of nitrogen from spring to mid-summer and with higher concentrations of phosphorus at the end of summer and autumn.

The resting period will be ensured by reducing the amount of water during the winter, allowing the substrate to dry between waterings. If the humidity is high in the culture rooms during the winter, you can give up watering, just spraying the leaves and roots in the morning. In low humidity conditions, consistent watering will be used. Fertilization will be abandoned until the resumption of the normal irrigation routine, during the spring.

Discover here the selection of Vanda and Rhynchostylis from Secret Garden (link).

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