Gastrochilus japonicus

[Nathalie]

Hi orchid enthusiasts!
I got this baby only about a month ago through a local orchid club. It has two spikes, the smallest one lives its own life underneath these flowers.

There's a little concern on my part about the roots. The plant doesn't have too many

[78Terp]

Nice!

Mine is mounted on tree fern and I have had it just short of a year. It grows roots all the time. I keep it wet almost all the time. Not sopping but if I find it dry, I water it. Mine is in bud again. It will be the 3rd time blooming since I have had it. It also hangs in an orchidarium which is in the 80- 90% humidity range.

Yours does look somewhat dehydrated to me.

I'd be happy to post an image of mine here, with your permission. I don't want to hijack the thread.

[Nathalie]

Hello Harvey
Please post yours here, I'd love to see it.
And mine, yeah, it is dehydrated for sure, and this was how I got it. I need to rethink how I keep it further
An orchidarium is something I've got no room for.

[78Terp]

This is in a 10 gallon fish tank used as an orchidarium. You can see the spike with the buds formed. I count 9 buds. Also, the 2 leaves seen beneath the spike is actually a 2nd plant. A keiki I guess. It has loved the environment I have provided it.

Here is a picture taken a few minutes ago.

[gchen]

Cute & pretty orchid, Nathalie!

[Horst]

Nathalie,
Did the previous owner had the plant in moss like you have?
If yes, that's the reason why it has few roots.
Moss provides too much humidity to the roots.
I have mine planted in coarse granite gravel, coarse charcoal pieces (charcoal made from wood) and maybe some coarse bark pieces.
My plants get daily water in summer and every second and third day water in winter.
But water doesn't stay on the roots and the level of humidity on the roots is low.
While with moss the humidity in contact with the roots is hight, specially if you water frequently.
My advise: Change the media to coarse pieces or mount the plant and water it frequently. With other words give to the plant a lot humidity without to keep the roots soaked.

[Nathalie]

Harvey, yours looks healthy indeed. Thanks for sharing

Hi Horst,
Thanks for taking time to comment. The thing is I got the plant with just a couple of roots. The plant was like that when I purchased it and it was simply wrapped in paper (no media). The poor plant spent too much time in a box traveling and got dehydrated. I'll try some other media just as you suggest. I'll work on ambient humidity raising around the leaves, not around the roots which are basically not there yet