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Overview
Renanthera flowers are generally coloured red, red/orange or yellow and some can have red or purple spots on them.
The texture may be dull or velvety, though some species provide a spectacular display of 100+ flowers on a large branching inflorescence that can be up to two metres long, a feature that ensures their lasting popularity with the florist trade.
Soil: A coarse, bark or cork orchid mix as these are epiphytic and need air around their roots.
Choose a bright location with not too much direct sunlight, especially hot afternoon sun. Dappled shade is best.
If they don't bloom then increase the light levels.
Maintenance: They need warm tropical temperatures (15C minimum), regular rainfall, consistent humidity, and air circulation.
Let them dry out briefly between waterings but otherwise keep well watered.
If kept indoors then mist them everyday and try to ensure they have a good contrast in temperatures between day and night - this helps them to bloom more freely.
Apply orchid fertiliser once every two weeks that has been diluted to a quarter strength.
Diseases: None of note.
Other Species: Renanthera is a genus of large scrambling, epiphytic and terrestrial orchid species originating from China, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Melanesia.
There are around 20 species that are regularly cultivated.
It is a close relative to the Vanda Orchid.
Comments: The genus name 'Renanthera' is a combination of the Latin word 'renis' which translates as 'kidney', and the Greek 'anthera' or 'anther'. This refers to the distinct kidney shape of the pollinia, a characteristic of this genus.
Author: Bob Saunders.