Restrepia care
Light requirements are for subdued ("half shade"), much like Phalaenopsis or slightly brighter. Too much light causes reddish leaf color or even sun burning. When grown under lights: 12 hours of cool whites at least 5 inches from the tubes. Water frequently, preferably with “pure" water (RO, distilled or rainwater); never allow them to be dry for long but never waterlogged. Well-water is acceptable if pH ranges between 6 and 8. Mist during hotter periods. Inadequate watering and low humidity result in the formation of accordion-like folding of new leaves. Restrepias benefit from reduction of water in the colder winter months; then new leaves abound when warm up. Humidity: medium to high (60-80%).Restrepias do survive OK at 50-60%. When the humidity is right, the leaves are lush and plantlets form. Air movement preference is for very airy, especially if the humidity is high. |
Restrepias require dilute fertilizer, infrequently, e.g., twice a month only when plants are actively growing. Types of fertilizer preffered: DYNA-GROW per manufacturer's suggested rate, Michigan (13-3-16, Ca, Mg) at recommended rate, e.g., 1/8 tsp/gal. Liquid seqweed gets raves, some also use SuperThrive® (1 ml/gal, 4-6 times/yr) Media - fine fir bark, fine Tree fern or traditional mixes. My recipe: equal parts of small perlite, fine fir bark, and chopped tree fern. New plants is best to be established in sphagnum moss first. Pre-soak the medium before planting. The New Zealand moss should not go all the way to the bottom of the pot. Don't grow Restrepias in this forever; change moss at least annually. They may be mounted if have adequate moss around roots; e.g., on Tree fern slabs. Alternative is shredded coconut husk. Preferred pots are small (2.5-3.0 inches), well draining, clay to keep media from remaining soggy, but net pots can be set inside the clay or plastic one. Repot if the mix is broken down - a clue is that the new growth is smaller than normal. The more roots the plant has, the longer it can go before being reported. The media doesn't break down as fast because the roots rapidly absorb moisture and nutrients as they are applied.
When dividing leave at least three shoots together. Restrepias can start new plants from old leaves! Put a ramicaul from an old leaf buried just up to the leaf base in sphagnum for about 2 months. Fertilize more and more often than adult plants. Restrepias' seed capsules mature in 6 - 10 weeks and seedlings are blooming size in approximately three years. One can assume that most purchased plants are blooming size or divisions. Most common pests on Restrepias are mealy bugs, soft scales, and spider mites. To treat touch with liquid from a single drop of Ivory liquid in a pint of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Damage from spider mites is noticeable as small silvery spots on leaf surfaces. Watch for fungal diseases with the high humidity and low temperatures, but in general Restrepias are relatively free of fungal and bacteria problems. (exception is black spotting which usually appears on year-old leaves and is untreatable) |
Restrepia species to try:
antennifera, aristulifera, brachypus, condorensis, dodsonii, elegans, flosculata, guttulata, lansbergii, mendozae, muscifera, trichoglossa
See also: