Ansellia africana Lindl.

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by Mike O'C

Mauro the only forms of Ansellia that I have had are the pure yellow and the one wiht fine peppery brown spots. Because the fibreglass on the roof of my greenhouse (unheated) is over 36 years old it has gone yellow and does not allow too much light to penetrate it. As a result my plants have deteriorated to the point of extinction and both now consist of two or thee leafless canes. i have moved them out into my shade house where they seem to have each put out a new growth (keiki on one). so hopefully I will get them back to flowering.

Hope you can get them back to a healthier condition, Mike!

[Gin]

Here is a link to a picture of mine I posted awhile back . Gin

ansellia

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by Gin

Here is a link to a picture of mine I posted awhile back . Gin

ansellia

Beautiful flower, Gin! I like it!

[Mike O'C]

Originally Posted by Gin

Here is a link to a picture of mine I posted awhile back . Gin

ansellia

Gin, looking at the photo of your plant I would guess that it originates either in the old Transvaal province of South Africa or possibly Zimbabwe. The Transvaal has been split in to a number of provinces and Ansellia would be found in Mpumalanga (means coming out or rising of the sun so the east) or Northern Province. The Kruger Park is in these provinces. Ansellias from those regions tend to have larger and more triangular shaped flowers than the oblong smaller flowers we get in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The spotting is also darker and bigger but not as dark as the more northern forms e.g. Kenyan forms.
And Oh Yes! If Faan did not answer Orchid3's query about whether or not they have been crossed with Cymbidiums, hybrids have been made between Ansellia and Cymbidium. A veterinarian, Dr Greg Russel, in Cape Town did make such a cross. Do not know what it is like or what it is called.

[r1475z]

Hello Mauro,
I live here in S.Florida (zone 10). I bought this plant 3 mths ago (about the same size as yours) -I need your expertise. do you keep it constantly moist and is it in very bright light all the time including winter? when is the blooming season? Thank you for your reply. PS: love your plant's pix on flick

[Rosim_in_BR]

Originally Posted by r1475z

Hello Mauro,
I live here in S.Florida (zone 10). I bought this plant 3 mths ago (about the same size as yours) -I need your expertise. do you keep it constantly moist and is it in very bright light all the time including winter? when is the blooming season? Thank you for your reply. PS: love your plant's pix on flick

Hi r1475z,
I water my Ansellias very often during the hot months (from November through April here in the south hemisphere) and a little less during the cold months (may through October). By often I mean every other day, but you have to consider that the medium dries quickly in the hot period. So, in these months we can say that the medium dries for just a short period (hours maybe) and then receives fresh water. In the cold months I slow down the watering a little, allowing the medium to stay dry for one or two days.
As for the light, yes, I keep them hanging high, near the cover (shade cloth 50% + transparent plastic film) during the winter so that they can receive the maximum light possible. In the summer I keep them a little down because the air gets very hot near the cover, but it continues to be under very bright light.
If I can be of any further help, let me know.

[Gin]

Thank You Mike for the interesting information .
Sorry I am late to see it . Gin

[Mike O'C]

Originally Posted by Gin

Thank You Mike for the interesting information .
Sorry I am late to see it . Gin

Pleasure Gin. Enjoy your Ansellia. I am looking to buy one of those more northern forms with a greenish background and very dark almost black spots.

[r1475z]

Hello, what's type of medium do you use? Abrigado

[Mike O'C]

Originally Posted by r1475z

Hello, what's type of medium do you use? Abrigado

r1475z I am not sure who you addressed your question to. I use large pieces (about a hen's egg size) of pine bark in a clay pot for mine. I have moved them into a higher light area (40% shade cloth) and they seem to be doing better. In the wild I have seen them both in full sun and in part shade. I have just been given a piece of a plant which was growing on a dead lemon tree in full sun in the donors garden. Other folk have them growing in trees in more shaded areas. Wahtever media you use monitor your plant and see how it is doing and if necessary change the media.