Amesiella monticola - Orchid Board

Manu · #1 04-09-2018, 11:15 PM

I've been growing this Amesiella for about 18 months now, this is it's second time blooming. I relocated it a few times as it never seemed happy. Since I got him in higher light in the late summer or fall, it's been doing great and quickly pushed out a bunch of roots new leaves and a new spike, which took months to grow but finally has one opened flower.

MrHappyRotter · #2 04-09-2018, 11:20 PM

Excellent! Is the bloom fragrant?

My plant died after I repotted it, at least I should say it started a slow downward decline that eventually resulted in its demise after I repotted it.

That being said, my plant seemed happiest and healthiest when I kept it in wetter and shadier conditions while it was actively growing. So I was surprised to read that yours does better when grown brighter.

Manu · #3 04-09-2018, 11:24 PM

It has a slight fragrance. I remember it being a bit stronger, I need to try and take a sniff at night...

I grow it about 6 inches from the lights. Same distance that I give Catasetinaes, Oncidiums, Vanilla, it is mounted and gets daily (or other day) watering with very low fertilizer on every watering. Basically the same care as my Phals, just closer to the lights.

camille1585 · #4 04-10-2018, 01:17 PM

Congrats on the blooms! Such a cute little plant. This species is often considered difficult to grow, and an OB project with this plant some years ago confirmed. Many people struggled to keep the plant happy and healthy, and quite a few plants died after a slow decline. Mine included.

Is it under lights out in the open, or is it in an orchidarium/terrarium?

Manu · #5 04-10-2018, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Is it under lights out in the open, or is it in an orchidarium/terrarium?

Thanks Camille

It's under lights "out it the open". But I manage to maintain a decent humidity level at plant level since there are so many closely grouped against a wall with patches of moss that get daily waterings, it's not as efficient as a terrarium but it gets the job done. I even manage to bloom some Dracula's..!

It is mounted on the top of my Phal speciosa mount. I ran out of space, so started utilizing space that was unused to add plants. There's also an Oncidium limminghei cohabiting there, you can see by its leaf color it seems to be getting a good amount of light and the Amesiella is a bit higher.

camille1585 · #6 04-11-2018, 03:27 AM

I remember seeing photos of your set up before, but I forgot that it was you! I love your idea of adding other orchids to that large mount. It looks like a tiny slice of jungle, without needing a terrarium. I assume that you have to take the entire thing to the sink in order to water?

Manu · #7 04-11-2018, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

I remember seeing photos of your set up before, but I forgot that it was you! I love your idea of adding other orchids to that large mount. It looks like a tiny slice of jungle, without needing a terrarium. I assume that you have to take the entire thing to the sink in order to water?

I water all the orchids from that setup with a good old spray bottle over a glass coffee table and wipe it dry with a towel. It takes me about 15 minutes if I dont start day dreaming and overanalyzing every plant lol. I actually have them mounted with fair amounts of moss, so a heavy misting keeps it humid all day and is almost crispy dry by the next morning. If I need to leave for a few days then I fully saturate it under the sink (and if I leave for a week or more I have the option to use a plastic wrap to create a temporary pot).

The back of this mount has a big patch of moss to fill the cavity, it is full of roots. I also take care to drill holes in the cork to allow the roots from the front to easily reach the back, also provides better breathability and more even drying of the moss. I like to use some cork rounds as well. My bellinas, violacea and lueddemaniana mounts on cork rounds have an impressive amounts of roots in the hollow part!