Aerangis and Dendrochilum?

[kinte]

Has anyone tried these in S/H? These are two new genus that i have not tried to grow before. I got a:

Dendrochilum magnum
Aerangis cryptodon

[Ross]

Don't know about Dendrochilum, but Aerangis are mostly grown mounted. I don't see the point of S/H with genera like these. I guess you could do it, but in my opinion (for whatever that matters) this genera likes to be mounted on sticks, branches, cork, etc. I think Dendrochilum might be a different matter entirely. While I have no direct knowledge, the info suggests it can be a large plant, Phillipines, hot to cool growing. All suggest S/H may be a candidate.

[dave b]

Originally Posted by kinte

Has anyone tried these in S/H? These are two new genus that i have not tried to grow before. I got a:

Dendrochilum magnum
Aerangis cryptodon

The Dendrochilum magnum (aka macranthum) may work. They like to stay moist, but can be top heavy due to their height. I put mine outside during the summer, and have to put it in a heavier clay pot as to not blow over. Have you seen it in bloom yet? They are typically a fall bloomer. Very fragrant, and very long pendent blooms. Not the best smelling flowers, but a very cool orchid. Place it next to my wenzelii, and its hard to believe they are the same genus.

I wouldnt risk the Aerangis personally. Most aerangis need to be mounted for success. They can take lots of water during the rainy season (with lots of air movement), but many go thru drier periods in the off season. Constant wetness at the roots would lead to rot (opinion). I think this species is from Madagascar, as i couldnt find it in my African Orchids book.

[kavanaru]

I am a bit late with this thread...

I grow Dendrochilum magnum and Dendrochilum glumaceum in S/H since Dec., 2007 and they are doing pretty well so far. The only thing you should be aware of is that they seem to ber very very thirsty, and the reservoir is empty very quickly! I have an Oncidium growing next to them in the same kind of pot, and the water in the reservoir of the Onc. last at least twice longer!!

as per Aerangis, I grow Aerangis citrata and Aerangis luteo-alba var. rhodostricta since January in S/H. They are doingmuch much better than mounted (somehow they did not like to be mounted under my growing conditions, no matter how often I sprayed them!). Aer. citrata has produce 3 new leaves, one basal keiki and 7 spikes since then! Aer. luteo-alba has produced new leaves and roots since then but now flowers (the plant was very damaged before S/H)

[ewcia1028]

Ramon,thank you for your information on Aerangis,I have the same problem to grow them on the stick so I keep them in spaghnum moss and they doing ok but maybe I will try to put them in s/h.How often do you water them?Good to know and thanks again.

[kavanaru]

Hi, actually S/H helped to keep them alive and even bloom until I had the terrarium. I moved both plants in the terrarium (high humidity) and mounted them... They loved it! much better than S/H... I have had similar cases with other plants (mainly miniatures), and have found out that in conditions of low humidity, they even grow better in pure sphagnum than in S/H, but need requent watering... the problem with S/H under those conditions (low humidity) is that the upper layer of LECA dries out very quick, and many roots get damaged very easy. Under high humidity, the behaviour is different and plants do much better.