Aerangis fastuosa

[jstaub]

Thank you all so much for your helpful insights and advice! This board is really great.

[markr]

Originally Posted by jstaub

Hi Mark,

Do the leaves of your Aerangis look somewhat dry and rough/scaly? I want to know if that's normal for this species or not.

Mature leaves look a little rough but I'm not sure what you mean by scaly. Perhaps post a picture and someone will be able to tell you if something is wrong.
If it's simply mineral build up, you can clean that off by wiping with a mixture of 2 teaspoons orange juice to 1 cup of water.

If the leaves are dry and dessicated you may have root problems. It is possibly more difficult to maintain healthy roots when these orchids are in pots (not sure though). The fact that you got it in flower is a good sign though.

As for the blooms falling, I wouldn't worry about that too much. That is common when orchids are acclimating to new surroundings.

[daemondamian]

Originally Posted by markr

Hi,
I've grown a few Aerangis fastuosa for a couple years. One of my favourite mini epiphytes. I think the essentials with them are: high temperature, high humidity, relatively low light (like Phalaenopsis), frequent waterings, and good aeration for the roots.

I personally grow them in a hot terrarium mounted on small pieces of driftwood with sphagnum. Humidty about 75% and good air movement from a computer fan. Their roots get heavily sprayed once a day and are allowed to dry down before the following day. Fertilized once a week with 1/4 strength 20-20-20. For a few months in winter they seem to slow down - I slightly drop the temperarue, humidity, and only fertilize once a month. Overall, similar to Angraecum, but I've heard they are not as tolerant of low temperatures - I have no personal experience with that though.

Thanks for that info Mark,
I got a 2 leaf freebie A. fastuosa that had only been out of flask for a week tied to a bit of corkbark which has been out in my hobby GH and only put a new root [or two maybe ] since I've had for several months now.

It has not had any vegative growth at all so I've put it in my Jebo 'terrarium' where hopefully the extra heat and humidity will encourage it to grow some

Now I just have to remember to water it *every* day I kind of get lazy about doing that

[pedidiva]

Has anyone tried vase culture?