Gastrochilus platycalcaratus

Gastrochilus platycalcaratus is a miniature epiphytic orchid native to southern Yunnan (China), Myanmar, and Thailand. It grows on tree trunks in dense forest at elevations around 700-800 meters.

It has a short stem and bears 3-6 nearly basal leaves which are oblong, green tinged with purplish red, with unequal bilobed apices. Flowers are fragrant, waxy, widely opening, often yellowish-green with purplish/red spotting, arranged on a pendent racemose inflorescence up to 2.5 cm long, with up to ~9 flowers.

Features:

• Miniature size; compact plant habit.

• Leaves “green tinted with purplish red,” oblong, obtuse, bilobed at tip (unequally).

• Flowers: wide-opening, waxy texture, fragrant; lip (labellum) white with spots; sepals/petals yellowish green with red/purple spotting.

• Native elevation ~700-800 m; epiphytic (growing on trees); warm-growing.

Care Tips:

• Light: Bright, indirect light; avoid strong direct sun which may burn leaves. Shade similar to understory forest.

• Temperature: Warm tropical conditions; ideal range roughly ~18-28 °C. Avoid cold drafts.

• Humidity: High humidity is preferred. Mist roots or mounting regularly; ensure air movement.

• Watering: Water frequently during growth; allow media to dry slightly between waterings. Reduce watering after flowering.

• Substrate / Mounting: Grow mounted or in very well-drained medium (bark, tree fern fiber, or sphagnum moss) to avoid root rot.

• Inflorescence timing: Blooms in spring; use this phase for more watering and optimal conditions.