Aerangis luteoalba var rhodostica (Project 4 - Summer 2007)

[quiltergal]

Sarah, what are you watering with? Tap, RO, rain? I'm convinced that water quality is the key.

[Ross]

October update:



As you can see, the spikes are elongating, but will still be a while till flowers. The new root stopped growing briefly and has now taken off again. A new leaf has emerged as well. Plant is approx 10" away from the t5 tubes and gets misted several times a day. Submerged in fertilizer solution every other day. Temps are now running 62 degrees F at night and mid-70s day. While fan runs 24/7, it doesn't blow directly on this particular plant. Second fan comes on at night thru-wall and runs for 3 hours. It blows across this plant with outside air.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by caseydoll

p.s. to add to my dwindling confidence issues I just discoved that I killed another cactus. That wasi innocent cactus victim #4. Who kills cactii????

I hear you loud and clear. My problem with cacti here in Michigan has always been spider mites. I never overwater, since I turned to cacti for a period because I could ignore them. However dryness and mites go together. My massive cacti collection of over 100 plants dwindled to 5. These guys are pretty hardened to my regime and will probably survive. One has been growing from a seedling to over 24" tall (over a 30 year period).

I've gone through periods of thinking nothing will grow for me, but I learn more, grow more, refuse to give up and throw away the stragglers that refuse to adapt! Just keep saying "I can do this". By the way, what is your watering regime for Aerangis? You are using RO or distilled aren't you?

[caseydoll]

Forgive me because this will have to be short and sweet since I am sitting at my desk at work trying to eat lunch. Yes, I am using distilled water and using MSU for pure water at 125 ppm. Unfortunately it's not in a terrarium yet but when I can afford one (if it's still alive!) it will go in there. I have been pretty lucky lately because my house has been staying pretty humid. It's been anywhere between 70-75% where it's at. It's also in an east window and I do have a fan going. Now I'm a little more scared because maybe I shouldn't of tried it on a Swampstick? I bought it for a seedling phal but I felt like I had to do something right away so on it it went! Hopefully I remembered everything, if not I will look this over again when I get home (which can't come quick enough).

Ross, thanks for sharing your problems with cactus too. That makes me feel better. I usually have good luck with houseplants but can't seem to keep any cactus alive. And the last one that kicked it was expensive! I have 2 left, please pray for them!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by caseydoll

Ross, thanks for sharing your problems with cactus too. That makes me feel better. I usually have good luck with houseplants but can't seem to keep any cactus alive. And the last one that kicked it was expensive! I have 2 left, please pray for them!

While I love growing cacti in dry climates like Southern Oregon, here in Michigan they don't do so well. I have a bed of Opuntia (prickly pear) outside that goes through the winter just fine and that is the only one that isn't a pain to keep alive.

[luckygrower]

My project 4 plant is still alive,it does have a new root and a new leaf but no spike. I water with tap water and it gets bright filtered light. I may be over fertilizeing as I fertilize every time I water. I just bought a RO system and will install the weekend. I hope this may help the health of my orchids but in my defense I have always watered with tap water and have been able to bloom some of them.

[Frdemetr]

Surprise! After a great time with no new roots, Aerangis shows a new leaf and a SPIKE
It's small (1,5cm) but is a spike!
Aerangis is potted in the original plastic pot, the media is crushed stones and sphagnum. Regular tap water, sprays two or three times per day (we have a dry and hot late winter), feeded with Peter's 30-10-10 for 2 months and than with 10-30-20 (1g/liter every week OR 1g/20 liters everday), plus vitamin B complex 1 drop/liter.

[Ross]

Frederico, I agree. Sure looks like spike to me! Congrats and good growing. Looks like a happy plant.

[cb977]

That's a spike...for sure!!!
Great growing, Frederico!

[Dorothy]

Woohooooooo