Rhynchostylis Retusa: Know tips to grow and maintain

A mesmerizing house plant, Rhynchostylis Retusa is eye-catching with vivid colors and aroma, making it an ideal plant for indoor and outdoor gardens.

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a popular house plant that looks like a fluffy & tapering fox tail. The plant is easy to grow in clay or mud pots, but requires little bit of maintenance. It can be propagated from seed or by dividing an adult plant’s rootstock or stem cuttings. 

Rhynchostylis Retusa will not flourish in direct sunlight, but they thrive in the shade or lesser intensity light. However, it can handle bright indoor light in the fall and winter. It produces pinkish-white flowers that bloom during the spring months. It can grow up to 3 feet tall with blooms measuring up to 2 inches wide by 1 inch long on spikes above greyish green foliage with small oval-shaped leaves. The flowers have five outer petals, four inner petals, and no anthers. Let’s learn more about this wonderful decorative plant in terms of how to grow it in your garden or balcony, its benefits, etc. 

 

Rhynchostylis Retusa: Key Facts

Botanical name: Rhynchostylis Retusa 

Found in: Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and India

Also known as: Foxtail Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae

Subfamily: Epidendroideae

Genus: Rhynchostylis

Species: R. retusa

Leaf type: leathery leaves

Ideal temperature: 18 – 28 ℃

Basic requirements: Bright filtered light (no direct sun), good air circulation and high humidity 

Ideal season to grow: Summer

Foxtail orchid scientific name

Scientific name: Rhynchostylis Retusa 

Common name: Foxtail Orchid

Assamese: Kopou Phool

Hindi: Draupadi Mala

 

What is in a name?

The word “Rhynchostylis” means “beak-style,” which refers to the shape of their flowers. The flower petals are curved like a bird’s beak. This can make them look like birds’ beaks too! But this isn’t just for show. Rhynchostylis Retusa also has edible fruits that look like olives or eggplants when ripe. 

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a species of flowering plant

Commonly known as Foxtail Orchid or White Foxtail Orchid, Rhynchostylis Retusa is a species of a flowering plant. The leaves are green on top and have red veins underneath. They grow up to 1 cm long and 0.5 cm wide at their widest point at the base while they remain smaller than that towards their tips, where they taper off into fine points or tails (bases).

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a common house plant

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a common house plant in temperate climates. This succulent plant has long been popular among collectors and hobbyists because of its unusual shape and beauty.

Rhynchostylis Retusa is native to Southeast Asia but can be grown outdoors in the U.S., as long as it receives shelter from frost during winter months. The species tolerates temperatures down to about 50 F (10 C).

It makes them ideal for growing indoors during winter months or when temperatures drop below freezing outside. They will grow faster than most indoor plants if given enough light and water attention by their owners; however, they tend not to flower until several years have passed since planting them into your home environment.

They are beautiful and add a nice touch to the home

Rhynchostylis Retusa is one of the most popular houseplants for a good reason. They are beautiful, easy to take care of, and make a nice addition to any home. This plant can be grown indoors or outdoors in most climates (except for areas with extremely high temperatures). It’s also known as the “ladyfinger” due to its long slender leaves that resemble fingers on the plant’s stem.

It is a terrestrial orchid 

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a terrestrial orchid with thin leaves originating from a rhizome that is often buried at depths of up to 30 cm under the soil surface.

Rhynchostylis Retusa is native to Southeast Asia but has been introduced in many other parts of the world, including Australia, Florida, and Hawaii. It grows well in partial shade and prefers well-drained soils with plenty of organic matter. The plant will also tolerate dry conditions if watered regularly throughout summertime months when temperatures are above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 C).

The flowers have an interesting shape on their stem: They are flat like an umbrella inverted over itself.

It can be grown quite easily

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a common species of orchid that can be grown quite easily. This terrestrial orchid has thin leaves originating from a rhizome that is often buried at depths of up to 30 cm under the soil surface. 

The flower spike has several flowers, each with four sepals and petals, which are colored shades of purple-red to yellow-green with darker spots on their upper surfaces. These flowers open during daytime hours, similar to other types of bromeliads, to attract pollinators such as butterflies which then transfer pollen from the male part onto the female part.

Common houseplant

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a typical house plant found in temperate climates. It can be found outdoors but thrives extremely well indoors, like on a balcony. They have beautiful green leaves that look like little beaks on their stems.

How do you grow Rhynchostylis retusa?

Rhynchostylis Retusa is one of the easiest plants to grow and an excellent houseplant. Here’s how to plant it:

1. Dig a hole and place the Rhynchostylis Retusa in it with the root side down.

 

2. Cover the plant with soil to about 1/4 inch from its base, then water the well.

 

3. Place the plant in a bright window or sunroom, where it will get plenty of light and water for at least six months before you move it outside—it should be able to handle some frosty temperatures as long as it’s not too windy or too wet.

 

4. Once your Rhynchostylis Retusa is happy, let it grow! It will spread out over time, so don’t worry if you don’t see much growth right away. Just keep up with regular watering until you get your desired size.

Rhynchostylis coelestis care

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a tough plant to maintain. It’s often grown indoors and can be selective about its lighting, needing a lot of direct sunlight but not too much. If the light gets too intense, it’ll drop its leaves and die. Rhynchostylis Retusa also requires a lot of water. It has large, floppy leaves that can quickly wilt if you don’t keep them continually moistened.

Rhynchostylis coelestis care

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a beautiful and rare plant that can live for many years. If cared for properly, it will reward you with a long lifespan and a luxurious appearance. The following are some tips to keep your Rhynchostylis Retusa in tip-top shape:

• Feeding – Every 3 weeks or so, feed your plant with a liquid fertilizer diluted with water. It may take several months of regular feeding before the plant becomes large enough to be considered flowering at the end of its life cycle.

 

• Watering – You should always check the soil around your plant to make sure that it is not dry or too wet. If you see that the soil around your plant is dry, water it well with fresh water 1-2 weeks before fertilizing and again 2 weeks after fertilizing. If you notice that your plant has become very thirsty, do not hesitate to give it more water. When watering your Rhynchostylis Retusa, ensure you don’t overwater it. The roots need room to expand, which can cause problems if they’re constantly repressed by too much water. Once you’ve gotten your Rhynchostylis Retusa in the right light and watered regularly, make sure to keep an eye on it so that you don’t let it get too far gone.
• Fertilizing – Once per month, apply a dilute solution of fertilizer directly on top of the soil around your Rhynchostylis Retusa’s roots (do not apply fertilizer directly into its leaves).

Rhynchostylis retusa medicinal uses

Rhynchostylis Retusa is good for your health. Rhynchostylis Retusa has been shown to help lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol. Rhynchostylis Retusa  also has medicinal properties that can help in curing rheumatic disease, epilepsy, bloody dysentery, throat inflammation, menstrual disorders, skin diseases etc.

Foxtail orchid uses

• Assamese girls use the flower on their hair during ‘Rongali Bihu’ spring festival.

• It makes a great gift! When you buy Rhynchostylis Retusa as a houseplant, you’ll be able to give it as a gift to anyone who loves plants or wants one for themselves.
• It looks cool! Rhynchostylis Retusa is a gorgeous plant that looks like giant leaves from above and below. Its unique looks make it fun for people who love plants but don’t have space for one in their home (or perhaps even don’t have time).
• You can have multiple plants on one desk or table. Rhynchostylis Retusa can be kept in small pots so you can have several plants on one desk or table.

Foxtail orchid of Arunachal Pradesh

Rhynchostylis Retusa is the state flower of Arunachal Pradesh. It is a symbol of love and fertility and is used in marriages by locals in Arunachal Pradesh. The state has maximum orchid concentration – around 40% of the entire India and thus Arunachal Pradesh is known as land of orchids.

Are Rhynchostylis Retusa harmful?

Rhynchostylis Retusa is not harmful to humans or animals. The plant has been used in traditional medicine by many cultures worldwide; however, there are no known side effects caused by this plant.

Make an effort to grow them well

Source: Pinterest 

Rhynchostylis Retusa is a small, evergreen plant that grows in the shade. It can be found growing at the base of trees or in rock crevices and will grow up to 12 inches tall. Rhynchostylis Retusa prefers dry soil with good drainage, but it will tolerate wet soil as long as there is no standing water around it.

To keep your Rhynchostylis Retusa happy and healthy, you must provide plenty of light for this plant to thrive. This means that you need at least six hours per day where they receive bright sunlight during the summer months (June – August). 

If you live where there isn’t enough sun exposure during these months, consider moving them indoors until winter comes around again! You should also make sure not to let any water pool around them because this could cause rot issues over time, leading to other problems like root rot being spread throughout your yard due to too much moisture collecting inside its container instead.”

 

FAQs

Is Rhynchostylis Retusa safe?

Yes, Rhynchostylis Retusa is very safe. In fact, it has been used as a traditional medicine for more than 2,000 years. It is typically used to treat muscle pain and spasms, but it can also be used to treat ailments related to the heart, kidneys, and lungs.

How long does Rhynchostylis Retusa usually survive?

Rhynchostylis Retusa can last up to 4 years, but it's best to monitor them regularly.

Is Rhynchostylis Retusa the famous flower of Assam?

Yes, Rhynchostylis Retusa is regarded as a state flower of Assam

Is Rhynchostylis Retusa used for treating rheumatism?

Yes, the roots of Rhynchostylis Retusa are used for treating rheumatism

Are Rhynchostylis Retusa fruits edible?

No. Rhynchostylis Retusa fruits are not edible

 

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