Read more of Cultivation of Oeoniella polystachys (Thouars) Schltr.
Light:
2500-3500 fc. Moderately bright light should be dappled or diffused, and full, direct, midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times.
Temperatures:
Summer days average 85-86F (30C), and nights average 73-74F (23C), with a diurnal range of 12F (7C). Hillerman and Holst (1986) report that this orchid grows well in the intermediate house but indicate that it would probably grow even better under warm conditions.
Humidity:
Near 85% most of the year, dropping to near 80% for 2-3 months in spring.
Water:
Rainfall is very heavy most of the year. Amounts decrease somewhat for a month or so in spring, but the habitat is never truly dry. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily while actively growing, but conditions around the roots should never become stale or soggy.
Fertilizer:
1/4–1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. Many growers use a balanced fertilizer throughout the year, but others prefer to use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to midsummer switching to a high-phosphate formula in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Growing conditions should be maintained all year. Plants grown in the dark, short-day conditions common in temperate latitude winters need less water, but they should never dry out completely. Fertilizer should be reduced if water is reduced.
Growing media:
Hillerman and Holst (1986) reported that Oeoniella polystachys plants are usually grown mounted on 4 X 12 in. (10 X 30 cm) slabs with a small pad of moss at their base. Mounted plants need high humidity and at least one watering a day, however, and during hot, dry weather, they may require several waterings a day. This plant also grows well in a well-drained 4-6 in. (10-15 cm) pot filled with a very open, fast-draining medium. Most growers use medium-to-coarse fir bark or shredded tree-fern fiber and add chunky perlite to help keep the medium open and also retain some moisture. Including charcoal in the mix helps hold the medium open and helps prevent souring. Plants should be repotted immediately if the medium starts to break down. Repotting is best done just as new roots start to grow.
Notes:
In the habitat, these plants flower from early spring into autumn.
References:
This information is quoted from a Charles and Margaret Baker culture sheet, with permission from Troy Meyers
