Aerangis biloba watering question - Orchid Board

andrew__ · #1 09-26-2009, 12:26 AM

My Aerangis biloba (bought in February) has two developing flower spikes (

) and I'm just wondering how most people water their orchids in flower. I have been watering by soaking the roots in water for a fairly long period from time to time and otherwise leaving the plant in high humidity (misting is tricky with my current setup and plant mix in my 20 gallon greenhouse). I can't imagine I'll want to be soaking the flowers as well when I'm watering this plant. What does everyone else do with theirs? Misting more soaking less is an option. Finding a way to soak without getting the flowers wet is another that maybe won't be too hard?

(Also so very excited for these to open!)

calvin_orchidL · #2 09-26-2009, 12:38 AM

Good job! I would continue to do what you do now but keep the spikes dry - just soak the sphag and the roots. Your plant looks like it's growing in a way that this is possible.

andrew__ · #3 09-28-2009, 09:11 PM

Thanks a lot I watered it shortly after seeing your reply and it should be possible as long as I'm careful.

The buds are so much bigger now even after only a few days - I hope I don't have to wait too much longer for them to open.

calvin_orchidL · #4 09-28-2009, 09:15 PM

Be sure to post photos when it blooms! How are you growing yours? Light/humidity? I'd be interested to compare notes, as I too am still learning to grow these guys.

PS - hi from Mississauga/Toronto! You should come out to SOOS meetings...we need more young blood

Bird Song Farm · #5 09-29-2009, 03:29 AM

Hi,
Mine is mounted on drift wood and I use a spray bottle to throughly wet it down. I place the spray nozzle close to the moss to avoid wetting the spikes. It isn't in spike yet although my Aerangis rhodasticta and Aerangis citrata are and they are on the same mount.

Al

b amateur · #6 09-29-2009, 08:29 PM

Very nice Andrew. Looks almost like an Oakhill mount.I have what could pass for your plants twin;two spikes,shingle mount,healthy root growth.I grow mine in a light garden,12x15 foot room @65f night temp and 78f day temp and 65%to80% humidity with 15 hours light per day.My buds are developing spurs and the anticipation is maddening.It's my first attempt at angraecoids.Keep us posted and good growing. Brad

andrew__ · #7 09-30-2009, 09:12 AM

I grow mine in a small 20 gallon aquarium with some water at the bottom for other plants. Tank's covered with a Glad Press'n Seal lid (I keep meaning to get some glass but this works well enough) and lit with a single tube fluorescent fixture but was also near a north window (I've moved the setup further away because of cold) - Low light basically, my Ludisia discolor is happy in the same tank. I don't know the humidity exactly but high - some mornings I'll see condensation on the glass but generally lower humidity than that. My room is humid and the tank is more humid than that. Watering is done by soaking when all the roots have gone white again but before they start to look dry, otherwise no misting.

andrew__ · #8 10-07-2009, 09:38 PM

It's coming along but feels so slow

I'm getting the impression that these won't be huge flowers either - at the largest from the pictures I've seen they'll be as tall/wide as the width of an average leaf or slightly smaller. The buds as they are now are tiny - only as big around as the newest roots and maybe thumbnail length including spur. At least I'll have at least 8 on one spike and 6 on the other.

Can't wait for these to open

Depending on how nice this is when it opens I may be in trouble at the next orchid show picking up related species :P