What These Orchids Are and Where They Come From
Rhynchostylis and Renanthera are two distinct genera of orchids belonging to the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Rhynchostylis is closely related to the Vanda genus and is recognised by its one-lobed lip, a feature that distinguishes it from Vanda. It comprises four accepted species native to regions spanning the Indian subcontinent, China, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. These plants grow naturally in warm, moist, shaded tropical environments. Renanthera, abbreviated as Ren in horticultural trade, consists of large scrambling monopodial epiphytic and terrestrial orchids found across China, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and Melanesia. Both genera are valued by growers for their striking floral displays and, in the case of Rhynchostylis, their intense spicy fragrance.
How to Recognise Them
Rhynchostylis plants lack pseudobulbs and have leathery, drought-resistant leaves. Their flowers are borne in dense racemes and are known for a strong, spicy scent. The blooms often appear during slightly cooler winter months. The genus is distinguished from its close relative Vanda by the structure of the flower lip, which is single-lobed in Rhynchostylis. Renanthera species produce branched inflorescences with many flowers that range in colour from yellow and orange to red. A key identifying trait is the presence of large lateral sepals on each flower. These orchids typically grow in a scrambling habit, meaning their stems extend outward and can climb or trail, making them well-suited for mounting or basket culture.
A Short History of Breeding
Breeding efforts have produced several notable hybrids within and between these genera. Examples from the library catalogue include Renanthera Kalsom, which is a cross between Renanthera philippinensis and Renanthera storiei. Another hybrid, Rhynchovanda Colmarie ‘Merlot’ HCC/AOS, results from crossing Rhynchovanda Sri Siam with Rhynchostylis gigantea. Renanthera Singapore is derived from Renanthera Kalsom crossed with Renanthera Tom Thumb. Additional examples in the catalogue show crosses involving Ascocenda, such as Renanthera philippinensis × Ascocenda Yip Sum Wah, and Rhynchostylis Monachiea × Ascda Fuch Gold. These hybrids illustrate ongoing work to combine desirable traits like flower colour, form, and growth habit.
Awards and Competition
The library catalogue includes award-winning plants, with recognition explained using the American Orchid Society (AOS) award key. One plant listed is Rhynchovanda Colmarie ‘Merlot’ HCC/AOS. The HCC designation stands for Highly Commended Certificate, which is awarded to orchid species or hybrids scoring between 75 and 79 points inclusive on a 100-point scale for flower quality. This indicates the plant received recognition for its floral excellence at a level just below the Award of Merit.
How to Grow Them at Home in Plain Steps
Rhynchostylis thrives when given consistent warmth, uniform moisture, and bright but indirect light. It does well in warm, humid environments with gentle air movement. Although it can be grown in pots, it performs better in baskets or when mounted, due to the extreme fleshiness of its roots, which are prone to rot if not allowed to dry quickly. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can harm the plants. Renanthera requires an intermediate to hot climate with good air movement and generally bright light. Like Rhynchostylis, its scrambling growth habit makes it ideal for hanging mounts or baskets. If grown in pots, excellent drainage is essential to prevent root issues. Both genera benefit from regular watering and high humidity, reflecting their tropical origins.
What Our Library Holds
The orchid library catalogue contains 14 plants in the Rhynchostylis and Renanthera group. Of these, 11 are mericlones and 3 are seedling hybrids. Examples of plants in the collection include Renanthera Kalsom, Rhynchostylis coelestis ‘Blue’, Rhynchostylis Gigantea Spot, Rhynchostylis Gigantea × Bangkhintian Gold, Renanthera Akihito ‘Emperor’, Rhynchovanda Colmarie ‘Merlot’ HCC/AOS, Renanthera philippinensis × Ascocenda Yip Sum Wah, Renanthera philippinensis × Renanthera storiei, Rhynchostylis Retusa, Rhynchostylis Monachiea × Ascda Fuch Gold, Renanthera Singapore, Rhynchostylis gigantea ‘Plai’, and Rhynchostylis gigantea ‘Orange’. These represent a mix of species and hybrids available through the library’s nursery offerings.
Cultivation Requirements
Rhynchostylis and Renanthera orchids thrive in warm, humid environments with uniform moisture and bright but indirect light. They require gentle air movement to prevent stagnation and support healthy growth. Direct sunlight should be avoided as it can damage the foliage and flowers. While these orchids can be grown in pots, they perform better in baskets or when mounted due to the extreme fleshiness of their roots, which are prone to rot if not allowed to dry quickly. Excellent drainage is essential when potting to prevent root issues. Both genera benefit from regular watering and high humidity, reflecting their tropical origins in shaded, moist forest habitats.
Award-Winning Specimens in the Collection
The library’s catalogue includes one award-winning plant in the Rhynchostylis and Renanthera group: Rhynchovanda Colmarie ‘Merlot’ HCC/AOS. This hybrid received a Highly Commended Certificate (HCC) from the American Orchid Society, indicating a flower quality score between 75 and 79 points on the 100-point scale. The award recognizes exceptional floral characteristics as judged by AOS standards. No other plants in the current library collection for this group have received documented awards from the American Orchid Society.
Parentage and Hybrid Examples
Specific hybrid parentages documented in the library’s records include: Renanthera Kalsom, which is a cross between Renanthera philippinensis and Renanthera storiei; Rhynchovanda Colmarie ‘Merlot’ HCC/AOS, resulting from Rhynchovanda Sri Siam crossed with Rhynchostylis gigantea; and Renanthera Singapore, which is a hybrid of Renanthera Kalsom and Renanthera Tom Thumb. Additional named hybrids in the collection are Renanthera philippinensis × Ascocenda Yip Sum Wah and Renanthera philippinensis × Renanthera storiei. These examples illustrate the library’s focus on both species and intergeneric hybrids within the group.
Notable Species and Cultivars
The library’s nursery offerings include a range of species and cultivars such as Rhynchostylis coelestis ‘Blue’, Rhynchostylis Gigantea Spot, Rhynchostylis Gigantea × Bangkhintian Gold, Renanthera Akihito ‘Emperor’, Rhynchostylis Retusa, Rhynchostylis Monachiea × Ascda Fuch Gold, Renanthera Singapore, Rhynchostylis gigantea ‘Plai’, and Rhynchostylis gigantea ‘Orange’. These represent selections from the four recognized species of Rhynchostylis, including Rhynchostylis gigantea and its subspecies, as well as Rhynchostylis retusa. The cultivars reflect variations in flower color, form, and growth habit available through the library’s propagation and sales program.
Sources
Based on: Orkpedia library records · Wikipedia · Wikipedia. Written and checked by the Orkpedia editors.