Trichocentrum stacyi

Previously known as Oncidium stacyi, this species - which is found in Bolivia and Peru - grows in tropical rainforest high in the canopy, at elevations about 450 metres.

This graceful growing orchid, with its terete cascading leaves, is flowering for the first time for me and it has made quite a statement.

You can find it growing under the Poinciana tree hanging with other orchids - with not as much attention as my other orchids in the shade houses.

It is watered about three times a week in the warmer months and not much in cooler weather.

As far as fertilising goes, it has a fertilising basket attached so when it is watered or it rains it gets a dose of diluted Plantacote Hi K.

It is mounted on a slab of hardwood with the rootball covered in Spanish moss. It appears to be quite contented.

I am now looking for a plant of Trichocentrum jonesianum, another species with a pendulous growth habit and soon I will have Trichocentrum lanceanum in flower.

So keep an eye out for plants of Trichocentrum because they are very rewarding and well worth adding to your collections.

Good growing - David