Aerangis luteoalba var rhodostica (Project 4 - Summer 2007)

[flhiker]

Originally Posted by rsfrid

I'm pretty sure it's a root. The spike will be about 1/2 the dia. of any of the roots. This looks too broad.

Yea Ross I think so too. After watching it for a couple of days it seems to be turning toward the stick instead of turning out

[Ross]

Originally Posted by flhiker

Yea Ross I think so too. After watching it for a couple of days it seems to be turning toward the stick instead of turning out

Now, Dave, the Mantra is "roots are good!" Remember this link posted earlier in the contest --> Aerangis lueto-alba var rhodosticta - in Wardian case

[flhiker]

Thats a gorgeous plant more roots then leaves. Thanks that is what I hope to achieve

[esungirl]

Roots are good, I thought I was going to lose my plant, after it dropped 2-3 leaves, and then low and behold! I got a root and then I got a new leaf and another new root. I'll take that any day over losing it and over a spike as well, at least for the recovery. Congrats on the spike btw!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by esungirl

It's in a clay pot the way I recieved it. Should I keep it in that pot, with cooler weather coming, or should I repot it into a plastic clear pot with spagh.

For my 2 cents: I wouldn't repot. Mine is mounted so I don't have experienced with this guy potted but suspect the better you are at keeping the plant wet but not let the roots rot the better. So the balance should be determining how often to water to let the roots go through their their green to white cycle and keep the root tips always green. As soon as you see the root tips die or turn brown, it probably means too dry (just a guess based on other plants). If the velemin turns brown, it probably means the roots are too wet and are either rotting or in danger of rotting. Clear plastic pots are great for many plants like Phals. Not sure yet if I would try this with the project plant. It might be an interesting experiment since I haven't seen anyone claim to be doing this yet. I'd be sure pot you select will assure roots dry out in 2 days or less.

[esungirl]

Mine is recovering, I think I kept it too wet, what other common orchid can it be compared to as far as growing conditons? I'm having a hard time with the moss and the clay pot, it gets dry too quickly and stays wet too long, I'm confused.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by esungirl

Mine is recovering, I think I kept it too wet, what other common orchid can it be compared to as far as growing conditons? I'm having a hard time with the moss and the clay pot, it gets dry too quickly and stays wet too long, I'm confused.

See, I really think folks who are struggling with the potted versions are strugling for same reason I did with many tropical "tree-huggers". How do you replicate those conditions? Moss will help keep moisture around roots longer, but how do you get air around roots at same time? Remember, most of these guys grow on mossy limbs in humid "jungle" environments where air moves around roots all the time. Thus many of us chose to go the mounted route.

Now...

What to do with your plant. You have a few choices. I truely hope someone successfully brings one or more into bloom while potted, but I think the odds are stacked against you.

Choice 1: Leave as is and provide us with the information as to how it does. I don't have much to contribute here.

Choice 2: Move the existing setup (sans pot) to a basket, where air can dry the medium out more quickly. You still have to be able to provide humidity needs.

Choice 3: Remove entire plant from existing pot, remove the moss, mount the plant (perhaps using a bit of the moss) on a twig such as grape vine, manzanita, etc. In this case, the plant will not be subject to whims of moisture and rot because it will require at least semi-daily watering, if not daily.

Hope these choices give you something to ponder.

[quiltergal]

I wouldn't be so quick to discount growing them in a pot. If memory serves me correctly Elke is growing both of hers in a pot, plastic as I recall, and she is our first bloomer.

Erin what are you watering with? Tap, well, distilled, rain, RO? These guys are very sensitive to poor water quality. My summer conditions are very similar to yours. 90-100 most days. Are you growing outside or in? I found I could get away with a lighter midweek water and then a good drenching on the weekend. I wait until the moss feels crunchy before watering. The clay pot should allow the moss to dry much faster that plastic, so if you think you were over watering I would really hesitate putting it in a plastic pot. It sounds like it's happy now so keep doing whatever you've been doing.

[Becca]

Originally Posted by esungirl

Mine is recovering, I think I kept it too wet, what other common orchid can it be compared to as far as growing conditons? I'm having a hard time with the moss and the clay pot, it gets dry too quickly and stays wet too long, I'm confused.

Do you have any pictures to post? Not sure if it would help us help you....but we would love to see pictures

I am growing mine in a pot as well. I left it in the clay pot it came in....I noticed too that mine seems to dry out quickly so I have started to mist the top layer just enough to moisten it for a day or so to hold it over in between waterings....I could only imagine how quickly yours is drying out since you are not growing in an orchidarium like I am! On another note...my moss is quite wet after watering and it hasn't seemed to bother the 'chid much....so if this is what you are referring to as the moss either to wet or to dry then I wouldn't' really worry about it! Hope this helps some! It sounds like you are doing a great job with it! Don't forget ...pictures, pictures, pictures!

[IowaOrchid]

Yup, mine just sat there forever and then some roots started. No new leaves but, a spike for sure. As the days go by this is very evident. Now, I got my fingers crossed nothing happens to turn him into a turtle and lose the flowers.

Julie