Hello everyone, happy growing, today I share with you a method of Anguloas cultivation, that at least for now, I had never heard of, and that a collector of many years, has developed in Anguloas cultivation.
Last week I was visiting a collector of semi-terrestrial species. He is an older man, very nice. Unfortunately over the years his greenhouse has deteriorated. However, he still grows exceptional Anguloa plants, with large and voluptuous leaves.
The Climate: It is located at 1500 meters above sea level, with a daily humidity of 100%, and a cold-temperate climate. The polycarbonate roof has fallen off, and has left the orchids exposed to the open air, lately he only has a shade net over them to avoid direct rain on the plants. In summer, the sky clears and the rains cease, but the clouds pinking the mountains maintain the humidity, at this time the air is not so saturated with water.
Humidity: Here is the key! His humidity is 100%, the air is saturated with water, to exemplify it, you walk 10 minutes, and you already feel that your clothes are soaked with water, moss and ferns grow freely in the neglected corridors, and the potted plants are no exception, although he considers moss a weed and removes it immediately.
Pots: Only and exclusively uses clay pots, very wide and low, (the height is 1/3 of the size of the mouth of the pot), with a single hole in the bottom of the pot, at least 3cm wide.
It does not disinfect any pot already used, it simply removes, grabs and sows (here if I get rid of all responsibility, it is like the cultivation).
Substrate: Another of his Keys! As substrate he uses 100% decomposing pine leaves (of those that are like a broom, I think pine patula), here it is necessary to make a parenthesis:
He taught me that there are four layers of pine leaves that fall to the ground. The first layer are the fresh, green, hard leaves. The second layer are those brown leaves, which are still firm to the touch and are dry. The THIRD LAYER IS THE ONE THAT USES, they are dark brown leaves, that although they are consistent to the touch are easily handled, and retain a good amount of moisture. The fourth layer are dark black rotten leaves, it is no longer useful because it is practically soil.
It does not use any type of inert substrate to leave a layer of drainage in the base of the pot, it is more, insists that the anguloas must be in the ground. Not in beds. Curiously, in the soil, not only moss grows, but also algae!
Watering: Water the plants every other day in summer, in winter every 3 days, no matter if they are in active growth or in dormancy period, always water. Whether it rains or not. Usually water in the morning.
Light: Another of his Keys! They are usually always in the shade, depending on the ambient light. It locates them towards the sunset, where it gives them the slight heat of the sun at that hour. The leaves are broad, thick and of a shiny dark green color. I would compare its light level to that of the Stanhopeas, light but illuminated.
Fertilization / Sanitation: Fertilize with Osmocote, 1/4 tbsp x pot every 6 months. Carefully placing the fertilizer pellets on the edges of the pot.
And he usually says to spray with 3 different fungicides, one every two weeks, then change it for another one every 3 months, (I doubt very much that he puts that in practice XD).
Anguloas cultivation in the Andean mountains, Venezuela
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