Growing tips for Sarcochilus Sarcochilus need to be watered in a way to keep the medium slightly moist. They don’t have pseudobulbs to store water, so it’s the leaves and roots that are responsible for this function. I water them every 2-3 days in summer and once a week in winter.

Sarcochilus fitzgerald grows in dense shade in ravines while Sarcochilus ceciliae grows on rocks in full sun. It is suggested that flowering is improved if light levels are increased when flower spikes first appear.

Orchids like some rough treatment. Bang the pot on the side to remove the plants and then pull it apart. You might need to use a bit of muscle, a spade, an axe or a sharp knife. Often it’s a good idea to split the orchid into two, three or four good pieces – which are then perfect to re-pot.

Consider that Sarcochilus orchid are naturally found in the foothills close to the coast, they have a tendency to grow best in the gullies close to streams, cool moist forests. As you can imagine light is filtered at all times and this is requirement in cultivation. You try a 50% shade cloth, heavier in warmer parts.

It’s easy to tell when it’s time to re-pot an orchid, the leaves and bulbs get absolutely packed into the pot so it’s really bulging. Usually the best time to re-pot and divide orchids is after the flower starts to finish and it looks daggy. October/November is an ideal time. Orchids like some rough treatment.

Looking after epiphytes They also need protection from excess water in winter when their buds are forming. In summer they may need daily watering but in winter once every 1-2 weeks is enough.

The first thing anyone should say about Sarcochilus australis is that this is one very beautiful Australian native species. It is not “one of your botanicals” as the expression goes. The second obvious point is that S. australis is notoriously difficult to maintain in captivity. It’s reputation for going belly-up is legendary.

Sarcochilus are native to Australia and have been popular with hobbyists there for many years. For good culture, here are the basic requirements for moisture, temperature and light. Sarcochilus need to be watered in a way that keeps the medium slightly moist at all times, similar to Phalaenopsis.

Although sarcochilus occupy a wide spectrum of habitats with widely diverse temperature ranges, the locations usually have three things in common: high humidity, exceptional air movement and moderate to low light conditions.

Sarcochilus ceciliae is a candidate for a few taxonomic divisions, particularly based upon the lip. In its native habitat, Sarcochilus ceciliae grows as a lithophyte and is very susceptible to over-watering. Also, it is a relatively slow grower, and therefore, slow to recover from root damage (much like rupiculous Laelia ).