Before I take the plunge, what can you tell me about Arachnis flos aeris......

[peeweelovesbooks]

I know it grows large. LARGE and TALL. And needs lots of sun.

Besides this, what can you share about this plant if you grow it? Can I pot it up?


I intend to grow it outside in a pot. Any comments would be much appreciated.

[wonderlen3000]

Yes! You can difinietly pot it up. All Arachnis grow tall and more tall and throw up aerial roots along the stem. My suggestion, get a big 8" clay pot with side holes, use large chunk of broken bricks or lava rock to secure the plant. Regard less of where you grow, your plant will need top support as it will get tall and top heavy. You can place the plant along a wooden fence or dead tree strump or stake it with bamboo or coconut husk poles. Just make a few tied along the stem and the aerial roots will take care of the rest. You can grow any tall Renanthera, Papilionanthe and Vandopsis this way too. BTW you plant need full sun to bloom best.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Thank you so much! So you don't need a big pot, diameter wise, just need support?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you're in Miami, I'd imagine it'd probably be more practical to find some logs from someone who just trimmed their tree and mount them on. Then grow outdoors.

Luckily there are actually Vandas that can take the subtropical outdoors climate in LA, and I had stuck one onto a tree once a long time ago. The thing grew pretty easily. I never worried about root rot.

I now grow Vanda coerulea, Vanda concolor, and Vanda luzonica on trees in my backyard. The Vanda coerulea started growing new tips on the roots, so is the Vanda concolor. I'm waiting on the Vanda luzonica, the plant suffered a bit of a set back with too much sun.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Just a thought BTW. You don't have to follow the advice if that's not your intention.