Renanthera monachica

Renanthera monachica is a warm-growing orchid species endemic to the Philippines, where it is found on Luzon and Mindanao at elevations up to about 500 metres. It grows as an epiphyte in open, sunny forest margins or in lightly shaded areas, often attached to tree branches where air circulation is good. The species was described in 1915 and is valued for its showy, long-lasting floral displays.

This medium-sized orchid develops upright, monopodial stems 30–60 cm long, clothed in distichous, leathery leaves measuring around 5.5–19 cm in length. The leaves are ligulate and remain evenly spaced along the stem. Its natural growth habit allows it to capture high light while benefiting from frequent moisture in its humid native habitat.

Flowering usually occurs from late winter into spring, producing axillary racemes that can reach about 45 cm in length. These carry 6–30 non-fragrant flowers, each roughly 2.5–4 cm across, in shades of yellow to pale orange, marked with dense red spotting. The blooms are long-lasting and displayed well clear of the foliage, making them visible to pollinators.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, filtered light; avoid harsh midday sun while ensuring strong illumination.
• Water: Keep evenly moist during active growth; reduce slightly in cooler months but do not allow to dry out completely.
• Humidity: Prefers high humidity with good air movement to prevent fungal issues.
• Media: Best grown mounted or in baskets with coarse, free-draining media such as large bark, charcoal, or cork.
• Fertiliser: Feed weekly at quarter to half strength during active growth; use higher nitrogen in spring, switching to higher phosphorus in late summer.
• Temperature: Warm-growing; ideally 19–31 °C year-round with a slight night drop.
• Repotting: Infrequent; repot or remount when media breaks down or plant outgrows its support.