HELP! Why aren't my Angraecums growing..?

[NeoNJ]

I have a number of MOUNTED Angraecums. I've had them for a year or more, they grow V-E-R-Y slowly if at all and have not yet bloomed......They are:

- Angraecum praestans
- Angraecum leonis
- Angraecum magdalene (potted)
- Angraecum elephante

I also have a number of Aerangis that are in the same condition ----- barely growing, and have never bloomed!

They are all in Bright light conditions (Morning Sun), are watered frequently, and still I have yet to see these Angraecum/Aerangis bloom ......

Is anyone growing these orchids that could help me understand what's going on with them ...?

[Leafmite]

Hi!
I grow ang. sesquipedale, leonis, didieri, magdalenae, aerang. Ellisii and citrata (new, last fall). I have all mine in lava rock and net pots. The roots grow rapidly, the leaves grow at about the rate of a vanda or phal. Most of mine are too young to bloom but two of the didieri's have buds. I have mine in a South-facing window during winter and in the summer, outside, they get nearly full sun (but it isn't madagascar here). I water with distilled/dehumidifyer/rain/snow, usually taken out of the goldfish tub. Occaisionally, I use planttone (organic fertilizer), and bettergro orchid (very weak) fertilizer. Humidity comes from my jungle of tropicals. I grow them dryer in the winter as my home temps are 64-65'F but probably cooler near that window at night. I love this website as it gives elevations and locations which can be looked up for climate:
Genus Angraecum - Angraecum Encyclopedia
I also have two seedling aeranthes which I think would be closely related (I found very little info on them.). Those seem to grow faster than the angraecums and aerangis but this might be because they were just out of flask when purchased last spring.
I hope others will also share how they grow theirs so you can get plenty of ideas. I do think orchids do grow slowly compared to most of my other tropicals. Vanilla is a faster growing orchid but it can't compare to my tropical passion fruit vines that grow inches a day.

[Leafmite]

I realized that I lumped the aerangis in with the angraecums. I keep the aerangis furthest from the window on the shelf, shaded by other orchids. They also do not like temps too warm, I believe, where the angraecums took our past summer's 90'F weather with a flurry of new root growth (I had just repotted them into the net baskets and feared they would sulk).

[phoridae]

you need humidity for these orchids to thrive. Mine didn't do well or flower until I got a small greenhouse; now they are all flowering when adult (I have about 30 angraecoids). For example see here

Brian

[zxyqu]

Agreed with the comment of humidity, and constant moisture. Without these, the roots dont thrive and the plant suffers. Try and improve humidity if you can, and see if that helps.

[Bud]

NJ has a lot of humidity in the atmosphere in the warmer months...try letting the plants out in the sun gradually but make sure it gets shaded by 11am to 3pm(this is when the leaves burn)
the mounted ones have to be watered everyday and spritzed in the afternoon...even if NJ and NY have humidity in the atmosphere in the summer...Madagascar have very hot humid summers but the plants get early morning dew and the afternoonmist then goes dry into the night...let into consideration the monsoon rains that can go on as much as 4 months...of non stop pouring that causes floods...I dont mean to flood your plants but you must go generous in watering them...but dont let the water go stagnant on the crown and the roots...
they dont like the cold/frost...I water mine with tepid water from the sink in winter
oh and feed them good...weekly weakly
they feed and drink a lot

[NeoNJ]

Originally Posted by Bud

NJ has a lot of humidity in the atmosphere in the warmer months...try letting the plants out in the sun gradually but make sure it gets shaded by 11am to 3pm(this is when the leaves burn)
the mounted ones have to be watered everyday and spritzed in the afternoon...even if NJ and NY have humidity in the atmosphere in the summer...Madagascar have very hot humid summers but the plants get early morning dew and the afternoonmist then goes dry into the night...let into consideration the monsoon rains that can go on as much as 4 months...of non stop pouring that causes floods...I dont mean to flood your plants but you must go generous in watering them...but dont let the water go stagnant on the crown and the roots...
they dont like the cold/frost...I water mine with tepid water from the sink in winter
oh and feed them good...weekly weakly
they feed and drink a lot

Most if not all of my Aerangis/Angraecum are mounted. I have way to many to try and move them outdoors for the summer (I live in an apartment building). I will have to turn on the humidifier and see if that helps them.
Thanks.

[phoridae]

Why don't we move this discussion to Facebook? There is an Angraecoid orchids group, and the interface is much better than this clunky php. I am out of here!

[nenella]

Originally Posted by zxyqu

Agreed with the comment of humidity, and constant moisture. Without these, the roots dont thrive and the plant suffers. Try and improve humidity if you can, and see if that helps.

I agree: I have had 2 I lost the first one as roots rotted & didn't manage to get it to grow new roots. (it was mounted and I kept it in a windowsill S/W (average 50% humidity)
I have a new one planted in a plastic pot in bark, it has been in my terrarium for more than 9 months and growing really well. I soak it every 2/3 weeks for 15 mins and roots are growing brilliantly as well as a
new leaf..the humidity is always more than 80%...
I got a flower from my first one before it went to RIP.this second is doing alot better & in perfect health.
Hope this helps...

[NeoNJ]

Originally Posted by nenella

I agree: I have had 2 I lost the first one as roots rotted & didn't manage to get it to grow new roots. (it was mounted and I kept it in a windowsill S/W (average 50% humidity)
I have a new one planted in a plastic pot in bark, it has been in my terrarium for more than 9 months and growing really well. I soak it every 2/3 weeks for 15 mins and roots are growing brilliantly as well as a
new leaf..the humidity is always more than 80%...
I got a flower from my first one before it went to RIP.this second is doing alot better & in perfect health.
Hope this helps...

Wow! 80% Humidity?!!! No, I can't possibly provide that. Time to go back to growing Phalaenopsis!