Aeranthes arachnites is endemic to Mascarenes. It is found in low elevations on Reunion Island in the Mascarene group. For those who like green flowers, it is a species well worth having.
Aeranthes arachnites also called as The Spider Aeranthes, Aeranthes grandiflora, Dendrobium arachnites, is a species of the genus Aeranthes. This species was described by John Lindley in 1824.
IDENTIFY AERANTHES ARACHNITES ORCHID PLANT
Aeranthes arachnites is endemic to Mascarenes. It is found in low elevations on Reunion Island in the Mascarene group. For those who like green flowers, it is a species well worth having.
It is a small sized, hot growing, epiphytic species with a short stem carrying several, ligulate, pale green leaves that are apically, unevenly bilobed.
The Spider Aeranthes blooms on a to 20 cm long, pendant, successively single flowered, raceme with a few, fragrant flowers occuring in the summer and fall. Its the plants with the appearance of Aeranthes grandiflora, the peduncles entirely covered by the sheaths, but the mats difference is in the flowers which are half the size of the other species; the leaves narrower; the column foot and the pedicel much shorter.
AERANTHES ARACHNITES 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:
Aeranthes arachnites needs a light level of 10000-20000 lux. 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 temperature at average 29-30°C, and nights temperature at average 22-23°C, with a diurnal range of 7-8°C.
Humidity:
The Spider Aeranthes need the humidity of 75-80% most of the year, but averages fall to 65-70% for a few months from early spring to early summer.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Aeranthes arachnites may be grown in shallow, well-drained containers or mounted on tree-fern slabs. Mounted plants need high humidity, however, and during hot, dry weather they may need several waterings a day.
If it is difficult to keep mounted plants moist enough, they may be grown in a shallow pot or basket filled with a very open, fast-draining medium that has excellent drainage, is well aerated, and allows the medium to dry fairly rapidly after watering.
Plants should be repotted immediately if the medium starts to break down or whenever the plant outgrows its container. Repotting should be done just as new roots start to grow. This enables the plant to become reestablished in the shortest possible time.
Watering:
Rainfall is moderate to heavy in summer and autumn, but averages are somewhat lower in winter and spring, with the driest months occurring in spring. There is not a severe or extended dry season, however. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily while actively growing, but drainage must be excellent, and conditions around the roots should never become stale or soggy.
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:
Winter days temperature at average 24°C, and nights average 17°C, with a diurnal range of 7°C. Water should be reduced for Aeranthes arachnites plants in winter and spring, but they should not remain completely without water for long periods. Fertilizer should be reduced when water is reduced, with both increased gradually when new growth starts.
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