Chiloschista lunifera is a unique, predominantly leafless orchid species within the Vanda/Phalaenopsis alliance, native to the Eastern Himalayas (including Assam), Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Northeast India. It typically occurs at altitudes between 150 m and 600–800 m in semi-deciduous forests.
The plant features a mass of gray-green, photosynthetic roots that perform the role usually played by leaves. It blooms in fall or winter on erect racemes measuring 7–30 cm long, bearing up to 20 small, fragrant flowers that are characteristically dark red outlined in yellow—rare among Chiloschista—and strongly scented (often described as sweet or like baby powder).
Features:
Leaflessness / Roots: Typically leafless, relying on thick, sprawling gray-green roots for photosynthesis. Rarely produces tiny leaves during active growth, which are quickly shed.
Flowers: The fragrant racemes (7–30 cm long) carry up to 20 small blooms, notable for their dark red coloration outlined in yellow—a unique trait among its genus.
Fragrance: Exceptionally fragrant—one of the strongest among Chiloschista species, often described as smelling like baby powder.
Care Tips:
Light & Mounting: Mount on smooth hardwood (like oak or tree fern) without moisture-retaining media (no sphagnum or moss), as roots require exposure for photosynthesis.
Temperature: Intermediate to warm conditions:
Growing season (Apr–Oct): Day ~27–29 °C, Night ~20–21 °C
Rest period (Nov–Feb): Day ~25–27 °C, Night ~12–17 °C
Humidity: During growth, maintain 75–85% humidity. During rest, reduce to 60–65%.
Watering: Water frequently during active growth—even twice daily—with misting. Ensure roots dry between waterings. Reduce watering during the rest period, sometimes to once every 3–4 days depending on root appearance.
Light Intensity: Bright indirect light (~16,000–20,000 lux), avoiding direct sun which may damage roots.
Rest Period & Flowering: Flowering is stimulated by a rest season marked by lower temperatures and reduced watering.
