Renanthopsis Mildred jameson

[Dorsetman]

I bought my plant two years ago , with a dozen flowers. Grew it in my greenhouse with some Phal species - most of which are doing well - as many users of this forum will know. But this particular plant is just standing still - that is to say it bloomed last year, 1 year on from purchase, more or less the same as when I bought it, perhaps a few less flowers. Again, after 22 months, it is in bud, spike has perhaps 8 or 9 buds showing, and probably will end up just the same as last year and the year before. This is not what I want !
How can I grow it better ?I have it in medium bark in a plastic pot, growing in a cabinet heated to a night temperature ( now - UK mid-winter ) about 17-18 ˚ C. I could give it another degree or two, but with less light, in an enclosure I used for Latouria dendrobes etc. Or is the answer in the growing medium ? I have some of the large size phal type plants, e.g. Doritis pulcherrima, doing very well potted with Perlag ( baked clay pebbles) standing in water/nutrient mix- S/H. Is that likely to be better ?

Any growers of this hybrid out here who can give me any tips ?

[raybark]

Hey there, Geoff.

I think that temperature is the likely issue. Both parents, Renanthera monachica and Phalaenopsis stuartiana, are "hot" growers, so I would expect that of the hybrid, too. A nighttime temp of 20^o-25^oC is not out of the question, and days can be much warmer.

[catttan]

I've only grown one Renanthopsis in my life and that was Rnthps Elaine Noa (if I remember the name correctly) . I grew it from thumb-pot size in 1967 and bloomed it 4 years later with 32 blooms on a spike with 2 side branches. About 8 months later it bloomed again but with around 20 flowers on one side branch and it wasn't doing very well at all. Actually all my plants at the time were suffering badly from neglect as I had some problems at the time. Soon after I disposed off my whole collection to another collector. To come to the point.... the Rnthps was grown under strap-leaved vanda conditions in a wooden basket in fir bark.
Renanthopsis are very difficult to grow and there are not many of them around....more's the pity.

[Azizan]

One of the hybrid that is on my wishlist. Agreed with Ray and Yew Sung. Definitely it would need higher light than Phalaenopsis also warmer temperature.

[Orquiadicto]

I have mine in spike for the first time since I bought it. I bought it in the EOC in London in 2015 in bloom (can't remember how many flowers it had then). Last year it didn't bloom and this year it has put out a spike with approx 3-4 blooms. Not much, but I'm happy anyway. I'll give it warmer conditions next winter.

[Dorsetman]

I have mine in spike for the first time since I bought it. I bought it in the EOC in London in 2015 in bloom (can't remember how many flowers it had then). Last year it didn't bloom and this year it has put out a spike with approx 3-4 blooms. Not much, but I'm happy anyway. I'll give it warmer conditions next winter.

You bought it from the same dealer, at the same show, as I did. I have now moved mine into the warmest spot I have, and repotted it into a medium bark. WE'll see if it likes that better !

[Orquiadicto]

I haven't repotted mine yet, so keep me posted on how she's doing. I think I'll repot her after the flowering.

[Azizan]

Finally, added this hybrid to my collection. Still small but have an old spike. I hope I can grow it right. I potted mine in bark + sphagnum.