Are Aerangis & Angraecum difficult to grow ?

[NeoNJ]

Hi All,

I have a number of Orchids, and recently ran across a lovely Aerangis and Angraecum - both on Ebay - I checked them out online, and both were labeled as "Easy Growers"..... but than as I delved into more research, I saw that they require HIGH HUMIDITY and are rather challenging........Can anyone let me know if there are any easy-growers amongst this group?

Thanks.

[Lars Kurth]

Generally Angraecum and Aerangis are easy to grow. They are generally (with a few exceptions) on the intermediate to warm side. Light wise, the larger potter plants tend to like more light than the ones which typically grow as epiphytes.

Plants which are potted should do reasonably well even without high humidity. Mounted plants will obviously need higher humidity. Many of the larger Angraecum specieas (such as eburneum, sesquipedale) are grown potted. Many of the smaller Angraecums and Aerangis will do best mounted, but sometimes are sold potted.

If you let us know your conditions, I am sure somebody will suggest the right plant. The only thing to consider is not to buy say a seedling of A sesquipedale, because yoy will have to wait for MANY years until you get flowers.

[NeoNJ]

My orchid growing area is contained in my bedroom - I grow on 3 Windowsills - 1 with a Southeast exposure, and 2 with Southwest exposure. I use fans and I have a Cool-Mist Humidifier (which usually only brings the Humidity at best up to 62%). I grow both mounted and potted orchids.

Can anyone recommend a good and easy Aerangis and Angraecum that would grow well for me in the above conditions?

Thanks,

Patrick

[SOS]

Easy Aerangis species to start with and are quite available would be biloba, luteo alba v rhodosticta, cryptodon, and modesta. Ive read citrata and fastuosa as easy but Ive had bette results with ones listed above but still easier than some.

Angraecums seem to be easier for me, you could start by getting the popular ones. Magdalenae, calceolus, eburneum, leonis, sesquipedale, diderii.

Id advise you not to spend a large sum if you decide to get a distichum. They are kind of difficult.

You could also pick up a Eurychone as pretty much all the ones on the market now have come from Mike Blietz and hes made a really stable population.

[Lars Kurth]

I just checked and the following Aerangis grow in lower humudity

• confusa (45-55% in winter and 55-65% most of the year)
• brachycarpa (55-75%)

Angraecum

• germinyanum (60-75%)
• Most of the big ones should be fine such as eburneum, sesquipedale, magdalenae, etc. and their hynrids should be fine, but if you buy a seedling you will need to wait for years before the plant flowers

[Angurek]

If you can give them a bright, humid environment, they should be OK. However, the biggest tip I can give you is to avoid disturbing the root mass excessively. They tend to sulk if you do.

[calvin_orchidL]

Originally Posted by Lars Kurth

I just checked and the following Aerangis grow in lower humudity

• confusa (45-55% in winter and 55-65% most of the year)
• brachycarpa (55-75%)

Angraecum

• germinyanum (60-75%)
• Most of the big ones should be fine such as eburneum, sesquipedale, magdalenae, etc. and their hynrids should be fine, but if you buy a seedling you will need to wait for years before the plant flowers

If you find an aerangis confusa, let me know lol

Aerangis typically do well mounted and aer. biloba is the classic beginner's aerangis. Angraecum didierii as SOS mentioned is a good starter one. At least for me, those two were my gateway angs. lol

[NeoNJ]

Yeah, I have to laugh, LOL ....
I have never seen anywhere on the planet a Aerangis confusa for sale ......and I rarely if ever find a Aerangis brachycarpa.

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by NeoNJ

Yeah, I have to laugh, LOL ....
I have never seen anywhere on the planet a Aerangis confusa for sale ......and I rarely if ever find a Aerangis brachycarpa.

LOL first place that pops up when you google it is .....Items of interest for species orchid fanatics they appear to have them well I retract that and say they did in 2003 and I did not delve deep into the site

[Lars Kurth]

Sorry guys, for the "dangling carrot". I merely checked the culture notes and picked the ones which needed least humidity. A brachycarpa is quite easy to get in Europe (from Easy orchids, as well as many french and german vendors), I had also seen confusa.