Aerangis citrata

[desertanimal]

Lovely. Thanks for reporting the window direction!

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Sonya I just wanted to ask how long does it take for the spikes to create some buds and bloom??? Cause I did get my plant sometimes in February with 3 looong spikes, that are doing absolutely NOTHING, I mean, they are green, nice but NOTHING, no buds, not even signs, it seems like it will never bloom, no clue:-)

[megrim]

I was given one of these fresh out of the flask a couple of years ago. I've never paid it much attention, it gets lumped in with my Phally species for the most part.

Over Christmas I finally got a nice, sturdy glasshouse - so all the warm-hot growers, (and a few that aren't =\), have gone in there - including the little citrata.

Upon reading your thread and seeing your marvelous photos I just had to go check on mine. It's been months since I gave it a good checking over. I was very excited to discover that it has two healthy little spikes forming. I'm a little daunted by the prospect of such a looooong wait, but I suppose it will make the flowers all the more rewarding if I manage to keep the spikes happy all the way through




For the sake of data, I grow this guy at 25-30C, (77-86F), day time and 15-20C, (59-68F), at night. 80-90% Humidity at all times, watered every three days or so, in very airy, free-draining media. Light is the same as my Phalaenopsis - though I grow my guys a little brighter than most.

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[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by desertanimal

Lovely. Thanks for reporting the window direction!

Thank you!
And, you're very welcome!

---------- Post added at 10:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 PM ----------

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

Sonya I just wanted to ask how long does it take for the spikes to create some buds and bloom??? Cause I did get my plant sometimes in February with 3 looong spikes, that are doing absolutely NOTHING, I mean, they are green, nice but NOTHING, no buds, not even signs, it seems like it will never bloom, no clue:-)

Tommy -
these spikes take forever! Mine take about 6 months from nub to bloom! Also - it won't get a cluster of buds at the tip of the spike, like most orchids seem to get - instead, the buds will start to develop from the nodes on the spike after it has gotten quite long - so watch for swelling or nubs on the nodes! I can't tell for certain on your pix, but it looks as tho there may be some nodes swelling - check that out!

---------- Post added at 10:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:15 PM ----------

Originally Posted by megrim

I was given one of these fresh out of the flask a couple of years ago. I've never paid it much attention, it gets lumped in with my Phally species for the most part.

Over Christmas I finally got a nice, sturdy glasshouse - so all the warm-hot growers, (and a few that aren't =\), have gone in there - including the little citrata.

Upon reading your thread and seeing your marvelous photos I just had to go check on mine. It's been months since I gave it a good checking over. I was very excited to discover that it has two healthy little spikes forming. I'm a little daunted by the prospect of such a looooong wait, but I suppose it will make the flowers all the more rewarding if I manage to keep the spikes happy all the way through




For the sake of data, I grow this guy at 25-30C, (77-86F), day time and 15-20C, (59-68F), at night. 80-90% Humidity at all times, watered every three days or so, in very airy, free-draining media. Light is the same as my Phalaenopsis - though I grow my guys a little brighter than most.

.

Wooooooo!!!!!!!!! Awesome!

[RosieC]

Really gorgeous, must have missed this first time.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Many thanks Sonya, the most important for me is to know that this takes forever, I was already scared that something is seriously wrong since there is NOTHING happening for sooooo looong:-))) So now I know to be patient! MANY THANKS:-) Can't wait for it to bloom.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Really gorgeous, must have missed this first time.

Thanks Rosie

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

Many thanks Sonya, the most important for me is to know that this takes forever, I was already scared that something is seriously wrong since there is NOTHING happening for sooooo looong:-))) So now I know to be patient! MANY THANKS:-) Can't wait for it to bloom.

You're welcome! I too was sort of beginning to wonder if I should be worried when mine was growing for months with no signs of buds!

Actually, you may see a cluster of nodes at the tip, that will start to swell as the tip elongates, but nodes along the length of the spike will also swell and produce buds

Seems to be a slow grower in general - mine at least has gotten one new leaf per year so far

[TOMMYMIAMI]

There is 3 spikes and new leaf growing at this time too, can't wait for the spikes to bud and open:-)

[cbuchman]

Because I track this kinds of things (when I remember), my citrata started its spike in Oct 2013 and bloomed in February 2014- 5 months from spike start to flowers - Slow indeed!