Aerangis splendida is found in Malawi and Zambia. Its grow in deep shade of evergreen riverine forests low on tree trunks and larger branches at elevations of 1000 to 1500 meters.
Aerangis splendida also called as The Splendid Aerangis, is a species of the genus Aerangis. This species was described by Joyce Stewart & Isobyl Florence la Croix in 1987.
IDENTIFY AERANGIS SPLENDIDA ORCHID PLANT
Aerangis splendida is found in Malawi and Zambia. Its grow in deep shade of evergreen riverine forests low on tree trunks and larger branches at elevations of 1000 to 1500 meters.
It is a small sized, cool to warm growing epiphyte with a woody stem carrying 3 to 8, pendant, oblanceolate, or obovate, unequally bilobed and rounded apically, leathery, dark glossy green leaves.
The Splendid Aerangis blooms in the summer and fall on a pendant, to 30 cm long, laxly 2 to 7 flowered inflorescence with white flowers set apart in two rows.
AERANGIS SPLENDIDA 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 splendida needs a light level of 10000-18000 lux. Plants grow in deep shade. Light should be filtered or diffused, and plants should not be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times.
Temperature:
Summer days average 25-26°C, and nights average 16°C, with a diurnal range of 9-10°C. The warmest season occurs in spring at the end of the long winter dry season. Spring days average 26-28°C, nights warm from 9°C to 15°C, and the diurnal range falls from 17 to 13°C during the season.
Humidity:
The Splendid Aerangis needs the humidity of 75-85% in summer and early autumn, dropping gradually to near 50% in early spring at the end of the dry season.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Because of its pendent leaves, Aerangis splendida usually grows better and its pendent flower spikes and blossoms with extremely long spurs 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 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. When grown in pots the roots tend to grow on top of and around the pot rather than in it and that plants grown in containers must be hung up as good ventilation is seems to be essential to prevent black spots from developing on the leaves.
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 in the habitat is heavy in summer and early autumn. Averages then drop rather rapidly into a dry season that extends from mid-autumn to early spring. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily while actively growing, but drainage must be excellent with good aeration around the roots. Conditions around the roots should never become stale or soggy. Water should be gradually reduced in autumn after new growths have matured.
Fertilizer:
1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. You can use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to midsummer, then switch to one high in phosphates in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Aerangis splendida maybe reluctant to flower unless given a cool, dry rest in winter. Winter days temperature at average 22-24°C, and nights average 5-6°C, with a diurnal range of 17-18°C. Although plants in the wild obviously survive brief exposures to temperatures below freezing, cultivated plants are probably healthier if not exposed to such extreme conditions. If plants are subjected to cold conditions, they will survive with less damage if they are dry at the time. Water should be greatly reduced for cultivated plants in winter with fairly regular early morning misting provided between rather infrequent light waterings in autumn and early winter. In late winter, however, water should be reduced further with only occasional misting between infrequent waterings. Water should be increased somewhat if leaves shrivel or show other signs of stress. Fertilizer should be eliminated until new growth starts and heavier watering is gradually resumed in spring.
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