Aerangis collum-cygni is found in Cameroon, Gabon, Zaire, Central African Republic, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. They are found in disturbed moist woodlands, rainforests and neglected plantations at elevations of 800 to 1200 meters.
Aerangis collum-cygni also called as The Swan Necked Aerangis, Aerangis compta, is a species of the genus Aerangis. This species was described by Victor Samuel Summerhayes in 1927.
IDENTIFY AERANGIS COLLUM-CYGNI ORCHID PLANT
Aerangis collum-cygni is found in Cameroon, Gabon, Zaire, Central African Republic, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia. They are found in disturbed moist woodlands, rainforests and neglected plantations at elevations of 800 to 1200 meters.
It is a small sized, warm growing epiphyte with a woody stem carrying 4 to 7, distichous, oblanceolate, slightly oblique to falcate, unequally bilobed apically, fleshy, dark green, dotted black to dark brown leaves.
The Swan Necked Aerangis blooms in the spring on an axillary or below the leaves, erect, horizontal or pendant, terete, racemose, fractiflex, greyish green dotted with brown, 4 to 8 cm long, 4 to 16 flowered inflorescence with 2 to 3, black dotted, tight lower bracts and spreading, triangular, subacute to obtuse upper bracts and carrying nocturnally fragrant flowers. The flowers are white, usually tinged with pink at the tips of the tepals; spur pale greenish-brown.
AERANGIS COLLUM-CYGNI ORCHID PLANT CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Aerangis collum-cygni needs a light level of 12000-20000 lux. Plants need filtered or diffused light and should never be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times.
Temperature:
Throughout the year, days temperature is average 25-27°C, and nights average 16-18°C, with a diurnal range of 8-10°C.
Humidity:
The cultivated plants need the humidity of average near 80% all year-round.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Aerangis collum-cygni usually grow better and the arching to pendent flower spikes are more easily displayed when plants are mounted on slabs of rough bark. Mounted plants need high humidity and must be watered or misted at least once a day, however, and during hot, dry weather they may require several waterings a day.
They may also be grown in small hanging pots or baskets using a very coarse, open, fast-draining medium to anchor the plant but allowing the roots to wander outside the container.
Plants should be repotted if the medium starts to break down. Repotting done just as new roots start to grow enables the plant to become reestablished in the shortest possible time. If the leaves start to shrivel or wrinkle or show other signs of stress, the plant usually will recover and grow well if soaked in water for about 20 minutes at least 3 times a week.
Watering:
Rainfall is moderate to heavy throughout the year, with a somewhat drier period in winter and again in late summer and early autumn. Plants should not be allowed to dry out completely as the habitat is described as being in rainforest or wet woodland forest.
Fertilizer:
1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. You can use a balanced fertilizer throughout the year; but also can use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to midsummer, then switch to one high in phosphates in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Growing conditions should be maintained throughout the year. Water may be reduced somewhat in winter, especially for Aerangis collum-cygni grown in cooler conditions or those grown in the dark, short-day conditions common in temperate latitudes. They should not be allowed to remain without water for long periods, however. Fertilizer should be reduced if water is reduced.
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