Angraecum magdalenae- what not to do

[Purpoh]

Hello! I just ordered possibly my favorite orchid of all time, an Angraecum magdalenae! It is a seedling with about six leaves on it. I have read all about it but does anyone have personal experience with it? I'm scared I will kill it. What should I not do if I want to keep it alive. What medium is good? Any other general tips for its care? And out of curiosity, when will it be bloom size? I have a feeling it is many years away.

[Leafmite]

I think I mentioned that I lost the one I had grown from tiny seedling to blooming size and that the new one is recovering from an infection. So, I will describe the old one's care as it was a happy plant. It grew in a basket pot with large red lava rock. I set this in a shallow saucer in which there was always water, even in cooler temperatures. I added extra eggshells and made certain it had plenty of extra calcium during the growing season. I did not fertilize it during the winter, it had only distilled or rain water during the winter (eggshells kept up the calcium). I have the new one in red lava rock/basket pot, too. I read that they can live their entire lives in a six-inch pot. They are said to be fussy about re-potting but if you soak it for about an hour to soften the roots, put it in dry red lava rock and then do not water for a few days to let the roots heal, it will not miss a beat. During the process, try not to harm the roots but, if you do break one or two, the dry period will keep them from getting infected. If you grow it under lights, really soak it with each watering, make certain to flush the pot well and keep up the calcium levels. Most of the Angraecums that derive from Madagascar are prone to infections because Madagascar is a very breezy place. That is why extra calcium helps with these. Those that do not add the extra calcium can compensate by using something to prevent fungus issues.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

[Purpoh]

Thank you for your information! Can you tell me exactly what red lava rock you use and if it should be soaked to prevent salt damage to the orchid? Also, what does calcium do to prevent fungus infections? Do you know the exact reason?

[Leafmite]

I bought the last batch of red lava rock from Lowes. I usually rinse it just to get the dust from it (use a bucket and toss the water outside) but I do not believe it is salty. If the plants are going directly outside, I do not usually rinse it. If you break or crack any of the roots of your mag, you want the rock to be dry when using. With my first mag, it was so small, there was barely any roots the first time I potted it up. Then I moved it from a clay pot to a basket pot and broke a couple of roots. By keeping the roots dry for a few days, it just kept growing as if nothing had ever happened.

Calcium. No, I do not have any scientific evidence of how exactly it works. It is just something an older gardener told me when I was quite young and it seems to work really well for all of my plants, even the ones with a lower pH. I am sure if you google enough, you can get the answer to that.