Aerangis citrata

[WhiteRabbit]

A small, cool to warm growing species from Madagascar. Low light - reportedly tolerating "deep shade" - this has been growing in a north facing window.

I got this last June from Andy's at the San Jose Orchid Exposition. Spikes actually first appeared 2 and 4 weeks (respectively) later. Boy did they take a loooooong time! The first hint of buds was only seen in December! So, I don't know that I can take credit for the spikes, but perhaps a little for the blooms - at least the plant has been reasonably happy for the 8 months it has been in my care

Thanks for looking!

[ronaldhanko]

That is outstanding, Sonya. Even if you can't take credit for the spikes starting (and I don't know why not) you certainly deserve a great deal of credit for bringing this along to bloom without losing a single bud or flower.

---------- Post added at 05:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:38 PM ----------

Nice photos, too.

[ezil]

This is not such an easy one to get to bloom. The spikes take forever and it's easy to lose the buds before they open fully. You did a beautiful job! (I've ordered one for our next show because I've lost 2 in the past, too much light and/or too much heat)

[silken]

That is very nice!

[spetrizio]

wow. it is perfect.
great job

[Wild Orchid]

FANTASTIC JOB!!!

[Orchids4ever]

Very nice Sonya-exellent growing
I killed mine

[isurus79]

Looks great!

[Larssh]

very beautiful

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

That is outstanding, Sonya. Even if you can't take credit for the spikes starting (and I don't know why not) you certainly deserve a great deal of credit for bringing this along to bloom without losing a single bud or flower.

---------- Post added at 05:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:38 PM ----------

Nice photos, too.

thanks Ron I did lose one bud, but that still left 47 Some of the buds nearest the plant seemed to have trouble breaking free - one died, but the others eventually made it out.

---------- Post added at 03:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 PM ----------

Originally Posted by ezil

This is not such an easy one to get to bloom. The spikes take forever and it's easy to lose the buds before they open fully. You did a beautiful job! (I've ordered one for our next show because I've lost 2 in the past, too much light and/or too much heat)

Boy did the spikes take forever! I wasn't sure if it was a cultural issue with mine, but then I did read some other people posting about very slow growing Aerangis spikes, so I guess it's typical

And then the long spikes were hitting the window, and then once the buds started to open, every time I had to handle the plant for watering, the blooms from one spike would get caught up in the other

I haven't had this even a year yet, so we'll see how it does long term for me, but seems ok with the light and temps it's been getting at least.

Hope you have more success with your next one!

---------- Post added at 03:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:08 PM ----------

Originally Posted by silken

That is very nice!

thanks silken!

---------- Post added at 03:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------

Originally Posted by spetrizio

wow. it is perfect.
great job

aw - thank you!