Aerangis confusa is found primarily in Kenya where it has been recorded from Mt. Kulal, Maralal, the Rift Valley, Mua Hills, and the hills in the Masai district. It grow in shady places, usually rather low on the trunks of small trees and bushes, at 1600-2100 m.
Aerangis confusa also called as The Confused Aerangis, is a species of the genus Aerangis. This species was described by Joyce Stewart in 1979.
IDENTIFY AERANGIS CONFUSA ORCHID PLANT
Aerangis confusa is found primarily in Kenya where it has been recorded from Mt. Kulal, Maralal, the Rift Valley, Mua Hills, and the hills in the Masai district. It grow in shady places, usually rather low on the trunks of small trees and bushes, at 1600-2100 m. This orchid normally is found in warmer and drier localities than other Aerangis species that it closely resembles when not in flower. In Tanzania, the plants are known only from the northern part of the Masai District.
It is a small sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte with an erect to curved woody stem carrying 3 to 12, obovate or oblanceolate, unequally bilobed apically, widest at the apex, dark green with black spotted leaves.
The Confused Aerangis blooms in the spring through fall on an axillary, spreading to pendant, to 15 cm long, 4 to 10 flowered, 2 ranked inflorescence.
AERANGIS CONFUSA 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 confusa needs a light level of 15000-25000 lux. Light should be filtered or diffused, and he plants should not be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times.
Temperature:
Throughout the year, the days temperature is average 22-26°C, and nights temperature at average 7-11°C, with a diurnal range of 13-18°C. The warmest days, coolest nights, and greatest diurnal range occur during the relatively clear weather of the winter dry season.
Humidity:
Humidity in the region is variable, averaging only 45-50% during the primary dry season, then increasing abruptly to near 70% in spring rainy season, and then dropping to 55-65% for the remainder of the year.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
As with most Aerangis species, Aerangis confusa probably grows better and its pendent flower spikes are more easily displayed when the 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. For those growers that find it difficult to keep mounted plants moist enough, they may also be grown in small 3-5 in. (8-13 cm) 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.
The 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. Some Aerangis species seem to slowly dehydrate under normal misting or watering practices when grown on slabs. 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 in the region is rather light most of the year, with a maximum in spring and a secondary maximum in autumn. Interestingly, these maximum periods coincide with the reported bloom seasons in the habitat. The cultivated plants should be watered rather heavily when actively growing, but they must be able to dry fairly quickly after watering.
Fertilizer:
1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. You can use a balanced fertilizer throughout the year; but can also use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to midsummer, and then switch to one high in phosphates in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Growing conditions should be maintained all year. Water should be reduced when plants are not actively growing, but they should not be left without water for long periods. Occasional early-morning misting between a watering every week or so should provide sufficient moisture in most growing areas. Fertilizer should be reduced when water is reduced.
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