🌸 Restrepia brachypus – Terrarium Care Sheet
Family: Orchidaceae
Origin: Cloud forests of Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru
Growth Habit: Miniature, warm to cool-growing epiphyte
Flowering: Unique, single translucent flowers with bright colors; blooms repeatedly from leaf bases
✅ Terrarium Conditions
| Parameter | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 16–26°C optimal (brief spikes to 28°C are okay with ventilation) |
| Humidity | 80–95% consistently — critical! |
| Light | Low to medium (600–1200 foot-candles); soft, filtered light only |
| Airflow | Essential – gentle, consistent movement |
| Terrarium Type | Closed or semi-closed terrarium with moderate ventilation or mini fan setup |
🌱 Mounting & Growing Medium
Best Setup: Mounted on cork, driftwood, or tree fern slab with a pad of sphagnum moss
Alternative: Small mesh pot with very fine orchid bark + perlite + chopped sphagnum
Avoid standard pots unless airflow and humidity are meticulously managed
💧 Watering & Moisture
Water 3–6× per week if mounted; daily misting may be needed in dry weather
Use RO or rainwater only – tap water damages fine roots
Keep moss evenly moist but never soggy
If potted: ensure fast drainage and do not allow medium to go sour
🌬 Air Circulation
Prevents fungal infections and pseudobulb rot
Ideal setup: USB fan running on intervals (15 min/hour) OR adjustable terrarium venting
Avoid stagnant, fully sealed environments — they’re fatal long-term
🌼 Flowering Cycle
Blooms emerge from leaf axils – no visible pseudobulbs
Can flower multiple times a year, even continuously if happy
Each flower lasts about a week, but succession blooms are common
Do not cut leaves – they carry future flower sites
🧪 Fertilizing
Feed with 1/8–1/4 strength orchid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during growth
Use non-urea-based formulas
Flush with plain water monthly to prevent salt buildup
⚠️ Troubleshooting
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf drop or rot | High humidity + no airflow | Increase ventilation |
| Shriveling leaves | Dehydration | Mist more frequently; rehydrate roots |
| Lack of flowers | Too much light or temp stress | Move to shadier, more stable spot |
Pro Growing Tips
Leaf bases are flower zones – never divide unless necessary
Restrepia brachypus thrives in the middle or lower zone of the terrarium (cooler, more humid)
Pairs beautifully with Lepanthes, Stelis, Masdevallia, and moss-loving species
🌿 Looking for drama in miniature?
Restrepia brachypus is a compact spectacle – alien flowers, fast growth, and no fuss (if you keep the air moving and humidity high!). Perfect for a terrarium that whispers “cloud forest.”