Media suggestions for Aeranthes grandiflora?

[Paul]

Well a seedling A. grandiflora has come into my possession. Currently it is in a small (2") net pot with sphag as the media (arrived this way). I'm an apt dweller in the "great white north" so very dry air will be a factor for a good portion of the year. I can either grow it underlights (fluorescent) or in front of a window/glass doors (SW exposure though I can easily screen it in such a window with other plants).

So for those who may have grown this one -- hopefully under conditions somewhat similar to mine -- would I probably be best off leaving it in sphag or should I go with a CHC mix? For that matter, would it be a better idea to move it into a regular plastic pot to keep the media (which ever I go with) from drying out as fast as it will in a net pot?

[palm521]

keep in mind that Aeranthes grandiflora do love humidity, and she likes it a lot. what i use on mine is new Zealand sphagnum moss mixed with good pine bark in equal parts, and i do grow this in a basket with plenty of air circulation around it. most angracoids with thin roots likes extra humidity and enjoy the air movement in the root area. roots on this plants are very sensitive.

my 2 cents is that you should NOT place it in a closed pot, because then air movement will be restricted. also in my experience you should aim for humidity not less than 60% for this type of angracoids.

as for light mine enjoys light a bit higher than typical phalaenopsis but not as strong as for cattleya. indirect light should be good for it, cant comment about growing this underlights, but might be a good move if the humidity is high enough.

Cheers
Antonio.