Rhynchostylis culture

Hang 'em high, minimal medium (I use a bit of long-fibered coco) and temps. down to
around 60F in winter. I water almost every day in summer and very little in winter.
I found that Jack's Professional with cal/mag has been very beneficial for Rhyncs.
A little extra magnesium in the form of epsom salts does wonders if applied in the
fall a couple of times at 1 tsp. per gallon.

 

I grow mine with the Vandas, no medium, lots of light. They bloom regularly. I've got one getting ready to open its blooms.

 

All good advice, so far. My Rhys grow with my Vandas, but one level lower. In my climate, I found that Vanda light was a bit too bright. Daily water in summer, every other day in winter. Winter temps go down to 45* on occasion with no damage.

I have at least 10 in my collection, and they all have grown into monster plants and bloom reliably every year.

 

Yes, all of mine are mounted.

 

Damn Alexis...those must be huge mounts! One of mine is over-flowing a 12" basket. I
had no idea that Rhyncs could take temps. that low...gigantea too?

 

Yes, gigantea too. However, temps don't get down that low, that often, or for that long.

 

All Rhyn. need medium light level, a little or lower than pure vanda or about the same as most Catt. They all need lots of water, high humidity and hate getting their roots disturbed. So basket culture/mont is best. I use 6-10" teak basket and fill with large lava rock or wine bottle cork. I normally don't use charcoal because it absort mineral and salt very quickly. Temperature range is depends on the species and all three species grow very slowly compare to most Ascocenda and Vanda.

Rhy. gigantea (the warmest growing member, min night temp is 16-18 for best, but can take slight lower temp down to 12-13 for short period). Plant is most robust (big leaf) under warm condition.

Rhy. retusa (intermediate-warm growing one, min night 15-16 year round, and bloom best under intermediate condition)

Rhy. coelestics (intermediate-cool growing, min night 15-16 spring to fall and about 13-14 in winter)

retusa bloom during fall/winter and coelestics blooms from late spring-early fall and both bloom after slight dry cool rest. gigantea is the only one that doesn't really need resting period and blooms pretty much any time of the year, but heaviest blooms from fall to winter.