are developing spurs supposed to be brown?

[Jeff214]

Hello,

My first one in this tribe, Aerangis mystacidii, is spiking. The spurs are starting to elongate but they have been tan/light brown. I'm unsure if the buds are blasting? (growing a bit slow) or if it is normal. Photos online of this species show white or beige spurs.

Thanks!

[Roberta]

Here are a couple of pix of my plant. Spurs are definitely brownish.

[Jeff214]

Thanks, Roberta. That's very helpful and beautiful!
I thought the darker color in some photos was due to the lighting. Good to know it's normal!

[Roberta]

It is a nice contrast... I do love Angraecoids that go beyond the white-and-green palette. (If you're looking for really dramatic one, check out Angcm. viguieri )

[Jeff214]

The spurs on my plants are curling and growing in every direction it pleases. I'm not sure if this is genetic or if it is something I can correct with culture next time? Yours look so much more tamed and elegantly grown than mine!

Angcm. viguieri looks like someone put some tole paint on! Certainly different. I was hoping to get an Angrecum sesquipedale after I tested out my conditions with Aerangis mystacidii and Angrecum leonis. We'll see...

[estación seca]

Angraecum sesquipedale is supposed to be one of the easiest. It has a fairly wide elevation - thus temperature - range in eastern Madagascar. It grows a little inland from the east coast of Madagascar, on the coastal plain. The mountains rise to the west not far inland. The orchid grows somewhat up into the mountains. That means populations experience a good range of temperature.

The main reason it's not in more collections is the eventual size. The branch as they grow. A society member here has an old plant growing in a pot at least 24" / 61cm diameter, looking like a large shrub. It would take a sturdy hand truck to move it. I've seen photos of it on palm trees in habitat. The clumps look the size of Volkswagen bugs.

It was one of the easiest orchids for me to grow when I didn't use any humidification. Unfortunately it got eaten. I ordered another from Hausermann's this week.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Jeff214

The spurs on my plants are curling and growing in every direction it pleases. I'm not sure if this is genetic or if it is something I can correct with culture next time? Yours look so much more tamed and elegantly grown than mine!

It does what it does... there's no special treatment on my part. One thing... I think you mentioned that it was just opening. I have found that with many (even most) of the Angraecoids, the spurs tend to straighten out as the flowers mature. (They are kinked up in the bud, so take a bit to reach their final configuration) So give them a chance to finish opening. And with any orchid, even if the first bloom is less than ideal, the next time is often better. Patience is key before coming to any conclusions.

[Jeff214]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Patience is key before coming to any conclusions.

Agreed. Just curious as it's the first time I'm seeing spurs grow. Starting to straighten out a bit now. Curious things.

[Roberta]

They definitely have a way to go. I think it's pretty cool the way the spurs are "packaged" in the bud - sort of folded up, and then they escape and eventually smooth out the kink. Even as the flowers open they may still need a bit more time to get really straight. Here's a micro-mini Angraecum... I couldn't wait to take photos... the flower was sooo cute. But a few days later it was even cuter as the spur ended up so much bigger than the flower

[Jeff214]

Wow, the length of that spur (and size of the flower) is astonishing in comparison to the plant size. Do the spurs develop in the bud before they elongate (or unfold)? I assumed it was growing like an apical meristem. Interesting.

That's beautiful - and great photo, by the way.