Aerangis modesta - Finally in Bloom
 

I have always considered Paphiopedilum malipoense the most frustrating bloomer, since buds take upwards of 8 months to bloom. Now I have found it's match, and then some.

I have had an Aerangis modesta for about 9 years. For the first 7 years or so, it just maintained size (seedling size). Over the last two years it started to grow up. In October I noticed a bud breaking, which gave me some hope that it might be ready to show at the NJOS (January) or DCOS (February) shows.

Here we are, end of April, 7 months later. The spike is now 8-10" long, but it has not started to form the actual buds yet.

Wow, that's an eternity. It will be gorgeous when it does bloom.

and I thought Aerangis citrata was slow ... mine takes about 6 months from when I first spot spike nubs til blooming. Hopefully buds will start soon!

I can't wait to see pictures of the blooms, though. The spikes are gorgeous once the flowers all open up!

My Aerangis modesta has never bloomed in the 12 years I have grown it in the house. It was in phalaenopsis conditions, it grows very well. I am now giving it more light and cooler conditions at night. I will see if that helps.

OMG!!! Do you have just one plant?
I wonder if it's just that particular plant?

I don't think I would keep something for that long if not growing well. lol

Actually I have two of these, I have divided it multiple time over the years. I keep this because of sentimental reasons. I obtained this plant directly from Arthur W. Holst, one of the authors of An Introduction to the Cultivated Angraecoid Orchids of Madagascar.

A. modesta grows extremely well, it just didn't bloom under phaleanopsis conditions.

Update: Spike is now about 24" long, and buds have formed. Looks like late Aug or early Sept for actual flowers. That makes it a 10-11 month process. Photo to follow when it finally blooms.

Are all Aerangis like this? I'm planning to add 3 angrecoid species to my collection, and while Aerangis modesta isn't on that list, I was curious if this is typical of the genus.

It is the only one I have that is BS. I have two sesquipedales (purchased at the same time), but they are not quite BS yet.