Aerangis coriacea is found in Kenya and Tanzania. Its grow in shade in upland forests near rivers low down on three trunks at elevations of 1300 to 2300 meters.
Aerangis coriacea also called as The Leathery Aerangis, is a species of the genus Aerangis. This species was described by Victor Samuel Summerhayes in 1952.
IDENTIFY AERANGIS CORIACEA ORCHID PLANT
Aerangis coriacea is found in Kenya and Tanzania. Its grow in shade in upland forests near rivers low down on three trunks at elevations of 1300 to 2300 meters.
It is a medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte with a stout woody stem completely enveloped by distichous leaf bearing sheaths carrying several, ligulate to ligulate-oblanceolate, unequally bilobed apically, dark green with noticeable reticulate veining, fleshy, undulate margined leaf.
The Leathery Aerangis blooms in the spring on an axillary, terete, arching, to 40 cm long, racemose, 4 to 22 flowered inflorescence carrying very fragrant flowers.
AERANGIS CORIACEA 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 coriacea needs a light level of 10000-18000 lux. Light should be very shaded and filtered or diffused. Plants should never be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times.
Temperature:
Summer days temperature at average 22-24°C, and nights average 11°C, with a diurnal range of 11-13°C. These plants should thrive if grown in the cool, moist air from an evaporative cooler.
Humidity:
The Leathery Aerangis need the humidity of 55-65% for about 2 months in late winter and early spring and again for 2-3 months in summer. Averages increase to 70-75% for the remainder of the year.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Aerangis coriacea 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:
There are two wet/dry cycles during the year, with a dry season in winter and early spring followed by a fairly short, 2- to 3-month wet season in late spring and early summer. This is followed by a rather short somewhat drier season in summer and then by a 3-month wet season in autumn. Cultivated plant should be watered heavily while actively growing, but they must be able to dry rather 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 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:
Winter days temperature at average 19°C, and nights average 9-10°C, with a diurnal range of 9-10°C. Water should be reduced for cultivated plants during the winter dry season, but plants should not be allowed to remain completely without water for long periods. Occasional early morning misting between infrequent light waterings should provide sufficient moisture in most growing areas. Water should be reduced for plants during the secondary dry season in summer, but plants should not be allowed to become as dry as during the more severe winter dry period. Fertilizer should be reduced or eliminated when water is reduced.
COMMENTS