Rennathera monachica

Common Name - Spanish Dancing Girl Renenthera

Perhaps the best -known Renanthera species in European collections that belongs to a small genus( 15 species ),closely related to vanda orchids . A common denominator of all the speciese is a firm monopodial stem bearing usually two raws of relatively short stiff leaves . The long , oftern -branched flower spike bears alot of flowers . The spike of the species Renanthera monochica measures 20 in /50 cm , while its leaves reach a maximum length of 5.2 in /13 cm. The inflorescence is about 8 in/20 cm long and consists of 10-15 showy flowers. ,1 in /2.5 cm across . The tepals are yellowish or reddish or thickly covered with scarlet spots. The lip is almost imperceptible .In the wild ,Renanthera monochica grows epiphytically (on rocks only in exceptional cases ) and inorder to put forth flowers it needs direct direct sunlight . In culture ,place the plant in an epiphytic basket with a permeable substrate and allow for a drier ,temperate rest period in the winter after the flower fade. The flowers appear only rarely -between the fall and spring -no matter how well you look after the plant . Rennathera monachica species is native to the Philippines .