Renanthera care

[ang709]

I've been given 3 orchids by a friend who felt I could 'better care for them'. The first 2 are catts, and while they have their problems, it is not them, but the third plant I need advice for right now.

The third plant looked suspiciously like a vanda--this worried me since A)I've read Vandas are not good for beginners like me, and B) How's it supposed to live here in an NYC apartment with no place for me to ever put it outside?!?

Anyway, the tag says Ren. Mem. Marie Killian. I tried looking up "Renanthera" but found almost nothing. Would the culture for this plant be any different from the usual Vanda care? And what size do these things get to be? These (actually there are two in the same pot) are only a few inches high right now.

Also, should I eventually put them in a basket? Right now they're in a clay orchid pot with coarse sized, bark/charcoal medium. As long as they are in that pot, though, how often should I water them?

And I assume they require bright light?

Do I even have a chance of keeping these guys alive in an NYC apartment?

[Piper]

I'm not a Vanda grower, because I too am a windowsill grower in the Northeast, but heck if you were gifted a Vanda, let's make a go of it!

Ren. Mem. Marie Killian has a gorgeous red flower, and it's enough to inspire me to make that plant happy!

Your plant is nearly 70% Ren. storiei, which it mostly resembles:
http://www.orchidspecies.com/renstoriei.htm

According to Jay's encyclopedia (where the pic comes from): "This genus is comprised of some 15 species from SE Asia to the Philippines. They are best grown in wood slat baskets and as a rule like partial to full sun and unlike Vanda, less water and fertilizer after blooming. Otherwise their growing habit is very much like Vanda."

As I say, I'm not a Vanda grower, but I'd think a slat basket for exceptional air flow, but good NZ sphagnum around the roots to hold some moisture in. PM me if you want a moss source.

I'm winging it here, so Vanda growers, please chime in!

Julie

[Molly Taco]

I grow all of mine in slat baskets and mist them everyday( that it doesn't rain) ,mix water soluble fertilizer with the water every 3rd day. They like lots of light.
Cin

[ang709]

Thank you for the tips Cin and Julie. And, Julie, thanks for the link. You're right, the picture is inspiring.

So treat them like Vandas until after they bloom. Well, I don't think THAT will be happening any time soon.
In the meantime, though, I'll be trying to keep her happy.

Thanks again.

[ORCHID ADDICT]

I grower renathera there not hard to grow they like airy but moist mix I like coconut husk for moisture & a chunky orchid mix, mixed together seems to do fine & as bright a light as you can get without leaf burn! I usually fertilize mines with the rest of my orchids every 2 weeks ! It doesn't like to dry out in the warmer temps so watch it min. Every other day!! Hope that helps
Posted via Mobile Device