Angraecum didieri potting

[pedidiva]

Vandas in Glass Vases

[Carpe Diem]

Paul Mc, Paul and pedidiva,
thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions! Ooo the possibilities - phantastic! As a newbie, I would've never thought of any of that. I bought some glass pebbles and made a little humidity tray. I hope that will do for now, I don't want to disturb anything just yet, because I'm hoping to see the bud develop into a beautiful flower! Thanks again!

[Paul Mc]

I'd be a bit concerned about the humidity tray usage. Generally, humidity trays aren't that great for bringing up the humidity level around a plant unless there are many of them all together - and even then it doesn't bring up the humidity that much truthfully. Your best bet would be to follow some of the ideas already posted this week and get the Angraecum into more of a proper environment.

As a side note, I almost bought one a few years back but at that time I did not have the ability to give it the humidity it needed. The vendor was very quick to try and persuade me against purchasing it for that very reason.

[Carpe Diem]

I will make use of your input, as soon as it stops blooming. I can see a little white and the spur is starting to come away from the flower. I'm very excited! After the blooming I'll make sure the little thing gets the proper environment.

[stefpix]

I killed an A. didieri. I got 2 small plants from Oak Hill. A. eburneum and A. sesquipedale. First sulked in teh beginning I thought I lost it but started new roots and new leaves. A. sesquipedale seems more vigorous and grows roots faster.
In net pots inserted snugly in a clear plastic cup. A good system for me - keeps a microclimate around the roots but medium (coco fiber+ moss + hydroton + bark) does not stay soaked.

Roots sometimes grow out of the bottom into the space vetween the net pot and clear cup ( I poked a hole for drainage in the clear cup).

read that humidity do not make a difference. In that post someone measured the humidity and there was no or negligible increase.

I am interested in the aquarium set up. would a fan be necessary or i can open teh top for a bit every day and/ or keep an open crack?

would charcoal and H2O2 help prevent mold and fungi?

I just made an enclosure with a clear plastic ikea box... a little larger than a shoe box.

I have an Epi porpax that needs more humidity... not thriving.

Anyway of all teh Angraecums I tried the sesqupedale seems the strongest and most vigorous.can take full sun - has been outside my window all summer.

[Bud]

Better grow it S/H method if you are putting it on a windowsill...then you will not worry on the humidity factor

[Leafmite]

I haven't really found an aquarium necessary. I have mine in lava rock and a net pot (like most of my other orchids) and water when dry. I give them high light (closest to the South-facing window). I have three didieri, one magdalenae, one sesquipedale, two distinchum (one mounted and the other in a tiny vanda basket with small lava rock) and a leonis. Some weren't in the best of condition when I first received them but they bounced back very quickly, growing new roots and leaves. When repotting them, soak them well first and be very gentle for they do not like their roots broken. Water these with rain water or water from your dehumidifier because they can be sensitive to water quality. There is a great web site, Angraecum Encyclopedia, to get you started...on your addiction to Angraecums. : )
Good luck,
Leafmite

[Carpe Diem]

It's me again First I would like to thank all of you for your advice and patients. Yesterday I ordered orchid mounts, today I bought a fish bowl and just now I've ordered the S/H starter kit from First Rays. Does that sound like I have the foggiest notion of what I'm doing? Anything else I should buy for one tiny plant? I'm leaning toward S/H and would convert all my orchids to S/H, if it works out for the A.didieri.
On a happier note - my Haraella odorata is blooming and the Platystele is spiking. Neither was in bloom/spike when I bought them. Must be beginners luck!

[Carpe Diem]

Leafmite, thanks for the site. Wish I had found it before I bought the Ancraecum, but if things work out, it could be the start of a long love affair!