Presents from an orchidgeek

[myorchid]

I just received a package from solay (Cindy). She was sending me some quilting items that she had (great) and threw in two nice little orchids!


I got a Den Kobai-it looks great, lots of nice roots and three canes with some good leaves. I hope that I can get it to flower. I put it in bark in the west window.

I also got an Angreacum magdalenae 'Marisa x self'-I have never had one of these! It is really small but looks great! It is mounted on a very small piece of tree fern? It has a lot of nice roots and looks like it is growing well. I put it in my south window with addtional light, it is in the back row so I think it will be OK.

I will take any tips on these from anyone as I have not grown them before.

Thank you Cindy, I love them!!! Of course when my husband, who is gone on a business trip, comes back to see more orchids I will tell him that I didn't buy them, though he may not notice as they are small!

[patticake]

OMG, They're really nice! The Angreacum is tooooo cute!

[kid a]

Awww! What a great surprise! They are so cute! I don't have any tips or anything on them though. You didn't pay for them so if he does notice just tell him you are exempt from being on hold for more plants because they were a gift, lol! Hopefully he won't frown!

[articuno75]

I don't know about the Angreacum, but as for the Den Kobai, I treat it pretty much the same as I do the Cathy Beck. It seems to like it.

[myorchid]

I hope that it doesn't loose its leaves like Cathy did. Though this one has many more roots than Cathy! I do have it in the same window so I will keep my fingers crossed.
Jenny do you have a picture of yours?

[kmarch]

The best book I know on Angraecums is Fred Hillerman's The Angraecoid Orchids of Madagascar. It's out of print so it might be difficult to find (I myself am looking for one) but there's nothing to equal it since. Do a bit of research, maybe check out Baker's climate sheets for this orchid. I've grown Angraecum from time to time and never seemed to get ti quite right and after a year or 2 mine gradually declined, except for the Aeranthes. I had good success with those. As bese as I've been able ot surmise, they like it warm and humid, but not heavily watered, medium-high light.

Ang. magdeleana is (IMHO) one of the 2 or 3 prettiest angraecum. Words like graceful and sublime come to mind.

[brookn]

I tossed my Den. Kobai outside, then the baby kitties found it, and promptly depotted it for me. It's freshly repotted, and is growing like a weed-and getting ready to go back outside. It had a new growth that matured after I got it, so I'm hoping for some blooms! There's one baby kitty left, and I'm hoping it doesn't find it again lol. I had it in filtered light under my Pawpaw tree, and hosed it with the water hose when needed. The Angraecum is adorable, but I know nothing about, I just think it's cute.

[missann]

Heeey...how come I didn't get a little angraceum? JK, I really like my cymbs.

[solay]

Your welcome April. I've been trying to figure out how to grow the Angraecum too but all I've read is it can be grown as a phal. Although the compot was in a very loose mix of bark and rock like stuff that drains really fast. Thinking that meant it like to dry out, I mounted a few. So far they are still alive but the moss dries up so fast. Maybe in a pot is better? Not sure.

Missann, I'll send you one on Monday. We can start another group orchid growing project like the Den. 'Kobai'.

[brookn]

Okay I am avoiding the yard work, but seriously, I looked up the Angraecum last night cause I thought it is really cool. In the IOSPE the pic they have came from Andy of Andy's orchids, and he has Angraecums listed on the sight for sale (no magdaleana darn! lol) but I thought that you might be able to contact him and see how he is growing this and if he would have some recomendations for it. He does list cultural info. for the other Angraecums on the sight, and that might be helpful also. I almost forgot to post this for you.

[solay]

Thanks Brookn. I'll check it out and try more research when I get a chance.

[specialk0449]

Angraecoid Orchids of all types are my favorities. I have a mature Angraecum magdalenae. I purchased this plant from Fred Hillerman in 1995. It has bloomed for me 2 times per year (spring and fall) for the last 5 or 6 years. This species likes intermediate conditions with strong light but not direct sunlight. My plant grows very well for me in a semi-terrestrial mix in a 6 inch pot with good drainage. I keep the roots damp but not soggy. It grows on south facing windowsill in the winter and goes outside during the summer months (May 15th until October 1). It is my favorite orchid and is considered the "Queen of the Angraecums". The blooms are very special and the scent is wonderful.

A. magdalenae grows semi-terrestrially in large colonies at 5,600 to 6,550 feet above sea level on the Island of Madagascar on flat boulders with rich humus and leaf litter surrounding the roots. I would recommend that you eventually put your plant in pot as it continues to grow and mature. I hope this information is helpful to you.

[myorchid]

Thanks very much! That was very helpful. So will it grow well on a mount?

Also welcome to the forum!!

[specialk0449]

You can try it mounted, but I have never seen it grown that way as an adult plant. I not an expert, but IMHO it would be better in a pot in the long run. Keep in mind that this orchid grows in a semi-terrestrial way in its natural habitat.

[specialk0449]

Originally Posted by kmarch

The best book I know on Angraecums is Fred Hillerman's The Angraecoid Orchids of Madagascar. It's out of print so it might be difficult to find (I myself am looking for one) but there's nothing to equal it since. Do a bit of research, maybe check out Baker's climate sheets for this orchid. I've grown Angraecum from time to time and never seemed to get ti quite right and after a year or 2 mine gradually declined, except for the Aeranthes. I had good success with those. As bese as I've been able ot surmise, they like it warm and humid, but not heavily watered, medium-high light.

Ang. magdeleana is (IMHO) one of the 2 or 3 prettiest angraecum. Words like graceful and sublime come to mind.

The book is available on Amazon.com. You are right it is out of print. Be prepared to pay a pretty hefty price.

[myorchid]

Should I pot it up now? It is quite small. It does have some good roots though.

Semi-terriesteral-fine bark mix?

[solay]

Thanks for the info. on the Angraecum Specialk0449. I fell in love with it when I saw the bloom and then the description of it's fragrance. I had to buy one but decided on a compot. Do you know how long before it flowers. The blooms are just so elegant and beautiful IMO.
I have some mounted but I figured it needed more moisture. I will try a couple in pots too and see. Thanks again. I can't wait for the blooms.

[brookn]

Specialk I know that it's pretty warm there (it is here), do you do anything special for the plant in the heat when it is outside? I have a sheet on it that says the heat gets to like 76 F where it is from. We will be at 89 F on Friday + would that temp be too hot for it outside?

[Orchidementia]

Originally Posted by specialk0449

The book is available on Amazon.com. You are right it is out of print. Be prepared to pay a pretty hefty price.

It runs between $100 - $250, depending upon the condition and whether or not it has its jacket. This is good to know, as I have a source for rare books that doesn't know anything beyond Hemingway. I got a 1st ed. G.B. Shaw VF+ for $4.00 that's actually worth a great deal more (well, several Shaw 1sts but this one is very rare). I'll keep my eye out!

[Brooke]

Welcome to the forum specialk0449 from another Lexingtonian. It's nice to have an Ang. specialist in the group.

Brooke

[patticake]

Miracle Grow has a pretty good book out on orchids. They suggest Angraecum for mounting of several varieties. They are so pretty.

[specialk0449]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Welcome to the forum specialk0449 from another Lexingtonian. It's nice to have an Ang. specialist in the group.

Brooke

Thanks for the welcome! I really appreciate it.

[specialk0449]

Originally Posted by brookn

Specialk I know that it's pretty warm there (it is here), do you do anything special for the plant in the heat when it is outside? I have a sheet on it that says the heat gets to like 76 F where it is from. We will be at 89 F on Friday + would that temp be too hot for it outside?

Brookn, You are exactly right about our temps in the Lexington area, especially this time of the year. I keep it in a shaded area. I have to water it just about every other day. I have summered it outside for the last 6 or 7 years with no ill effects. I noticed another bloom spike this afternoon. This is second time that it has bloomed for me within a 3 month time frame.

[solay]

Wow, that's great Specialk0449. Can you post a pic. of it when you get a chance. I'd love to see it. Oh, and also when in bloom. I think I have a very long wait for mine to bloom. Thanks.

[brookn]

Wow, thanks for the info. Do you keep it in full shade or partial? I ask, because Cindy aka Solay has generously sent some of us geeks a plant, and mine should be arriving in the next day or 2. I was reluctant to put it out in 89 degree weather with 70% + humidity, and August is not even here yet. I read that they like a lot of light but intermediate temps. I was also wondering what potting medium you use? Thanks in advance .

[specialk0449]

Originally Posted by solay

Thanks for the info. on the Angraecum Specialk0449. I fell in love with it when I saw the bloom and then the description of it's fragrance. I had to buy one but decided on a compot. Do you know how long before it flowers. The blooms are just so elegant and beautiful IMO.
I have some mounted but I figured it needed more moisture. I will try a couple in pots too and see. Thanks again. I can't wait for the blooms.

Solay, A. magdalenae is a medium-sized, fan-shaped plant. The leaves on this orchid are about 8 to 10 inches in length and 1.5 to 2 inches in width at maturity. The roots are seldom aerial. Based on the picture I am guessing you are probably 4 years away from having a blooming size plant.

[solay]

Thank you. I think I might end up buying a BS one then. Not sure if I can wait that long. LOL!!! I'm sooo impatient.

[specialk0449]

Originally Posted by brookn

Wow, thanks for the info. Do you keep it in full shade or partial? I ask, because Cindy aka Solay has generously sent some of us geeks a plant, and mine should be arriving in the next day or 2. I was reluctant to put it out in 89 degree weather with 70% + humidity, and August is not even here yet. I read that they like a lot of light but intermediate temps. I was also wondering what potting medium you use? Thanks in advance .

I would keep it in the shade because it is still a seedling and is not established enough yet. I use a medium grade fir bark mix. I hope this information is helpful to you.

[specialk0449]

[QUOTE=solay;86948]Thank you. I think I might end up buying a BS one then. Not sure if I can wait that long. LOL!!! I'm sooo impatient.[/QUOTE

You won't regret buying a BS A. magdalenae.....I promise. Your pocket book will suffer a little though. They usually range in price from $50 to $65.

[brookn]

Thanks for the info. I will wean it out gradually, I have other orchids that I keep outside that I have done this for. I know that the climate it was previously in was a bit different than mine. I'm thinking I will start it out under lights with some of my Phals and work my way out with it. It stays about 74% in the house with 68% humidity right now, so a good starting point.

[specialk0449]

Originally Posted by solay

Wow, that's great Specialk0449. Can you post a pic. of it when you get a chance. I'd love to see it. Oh, and also when in bloom. I think I have a very long wait for mine to bloom. Thanks.

I will post a picture of the plant with the bloom spike in the next day or two.

[specialk0449]

Originally Posted by brookn

Thanks for the info. I will wean it out gradually, I have other orchids that I keep outside that I have done this for. I know that the climate it was previously in was a bit different than mine. I'm thinking I will start it out under lights with some of my Phals and work my way out with it. It stays about 74% in the house with 68% humidity right now, so a good starting point.

That is exactly the right approach. I would probably leave it under the lights for several years while it still young.

[solay]

Hummm...another one on my list I need to sneak past my husband. I'm going to look around for one now. I think I'll wait until after my vacation in September so it won't be left unattended. I can't wait to get one! Thanks.

[brookn]

Thanks! That's good to know. I appreciate it.

[articuno75]

I just got my Angraecum in the mail! It's the tiniest little thing! My question is since it's a seedling should it be potted in spagh or to go ahead and put it into a bark mix???

[myorchid]

Jenny
I put mine is a small pot with bark, though I did put two packing peanuts in the pot cause it is so small.

I would be afraid of sphag as I think it would keep my baby too wet.

I will post a picture of it tonight.

[articuno75]

I got a really tiny pot. One packing peanut and bark. Gotcha

[solay]

They are pretty small. I have one that I kept that is slightly bigger but not by much. I found one that is NBS on line for $50. I think I will wait to buy that. I can't wait 4 years!!!

I'm also going to put a couple in bark to see how it like that. I have three mounted on bark that is doing good. Although you need to water twice a day or it gets very dry.

[myorchid]

Here is a picture of my Angraecum in its little pot. I also put two packing peanuts in the pot cause I didn't want to over water!

I think it looks really cute! It is in my south window with the additional light right on it.

[brookn]

Good grief that is so cute. I am excited for mine to get here! Now to find a teeny tiny pot.

[articuno75]

April~ Where did you get those tiny pots! They're adorable! I just have plain jane boring plastic. Come to think of it Patticake gets cool ones too.

[solay]

Oh, that is cute. Must find small pots.

[myorchid]

Kortney was able to find a couple and I bought them and she shipped them to me. They are bonsai pots.

I mostly use plastic, so being a clay pot, will it hold more water than the plastic ones?

[Brooke]

Is the clay glazed on the sides like the top rim or is only the rim glazed? If not glazed, the clay will wick moisture out of the pot unlike the plastic which will keep the moisture much longer.

Brooke

[myorchid]

not glazed on the inside, just the rim. So, I should probably water a little more often?

[articuno75]

The clay will dry out faster so you might have to keep an eye on them for water retention. Plastic pots retain moisture longer than clay.

[kid a]

I got mine in the mail yesterdaY!! i spelled angreacum wrong on the tag but I will fix it tonite, lol! Me and my poor spelling! I potted it in a small net pot with sphag but am thinking maybe I will switch it over to the medium I use in a small clay or plastic pot. It is soooo cute!

[patticake]

I usually get bummed out when I have to return from a vacation. This year I'll be looking forward to getting my Angraecum ! This is so cool! Solay, you're the best!

[solay]

Kortney you did a good job potting them up. I thought of using moss but was not sure if it would be too wet.

Patti it's such a small thing. Don't even mention it. If I kept them all, I'd probably end up killing most of them anyway.

[patticake]

Solay,

[katrina]

Hey Kortney! Your plants looks great!

I'm not sure which Angraecum you have but my understanding is that most like to dry a bit between waterings so the sphag could be a problem. I have a veitchii ...mine is in a course mix and in a clay orchid pot. This one is my first and I've only had it about a month now but it seems to be doing really well.

[solay]

Katrina, we all have the same Angraecum magdalanae seedlings.

[kid a]

When I potted it up I wrung the spahg out real good and haven't watered it yet. But I have some left over mix from repotting other things. I think I'll just switch it out when I get home tonite that way it gets just enough but not too much!

[solay]

I re-potted mine into small plastic pots with a bark/perlite/rock mix they came in. It's very fast draining. Then I have 3 more that are mounted with sphag.

[kid a]

Is there a noticeable difference between the two mediums? I have to water the ones in sphag more often than the other medium I use but I think the medium allows for a bit more airflow to the roots than the sphag.

[solay]

I think since mine are mounted, it's hard to keep it moist. Seems when I check, it's all crispy already. Potted may be better in terms of keeping it moist longer before needing to water again. So far I haven't noticed much difference in the two. They grow so slow that it's hard to tell too.

[articuno75]

How often is everyone watering these little nubs? I have it pretty much in a CHC mix and it drains fast and dries quick. Are the roots suppose to stay moist? I'm scared I'm going to rot the thing.

[brookn]

Well, they are supposed to like well draining mix, but where they are from there is a lot of rain. I am not sure how to interpret, but I do know they are semi-terrestrial. I am thinking mine (it's here WHOO HOO) is going into a puff of sphag into a clay pot so that it will dry out pretty easily, but so that I don't have to water daily. I am going to water it when it is completely dry. After I see some new growth, I will probably go to Schultz mix with some sphag in it. I am waffling on this right now though. This is a seedling, and seedlings like a bit more pampering and moisture, than a mature plant, so that's my reasoning on the moss. Specialk said they are 4 years from flowering, which means these are not long out of flask.

[fred]

great support and advice guys

[articuno75]

I think on these we're going to need all the support and advice we can get

[solay]

Well, I bought the compot in the end of May so I've had them for 2 months now. They haven't grown much in that time. 4 years is a long time.

[katrina]

Oooooh the magdalanae is very pretty! I wasn't that brave - LOL! I don't have much in the way of patience so I learned to buy bloom size or max 1 year away from bloom size and since these are pretty slow growers...I went with the reputed easiest of the bunch - Veitchii. I figured for that kind of money I was going to start with one I had a good chance of keeping alive. LOL! Mine is in a 6 inch pot and it's a pretty good size.

Specialk being the expert can probably help us out here but my research indicated that the mass majority of them like to dry slightly between waterings. The species and the hybrids will do well in a bark based mix that drains freely and many will do well on mounts. Good water quality (low salt) and keeping humidity in the range of 50% or greater being super important in the growing of these beauties. The humidity thing is why I went w/the Veitchii -- these do well in catt and epi conditions. Apparently, if we can provide all these things...the angraecum are not difficult to grow...just a bit slow.

I did read that the magdalenae is found in all three environs ...epiphytes, semi-terrestrial in humus pockets and as lithophytes. Hmmmm....Where's specialk?

[solay]

That's interesting that they grow in all those different environments. I had no idea they took that long to mature. I did read that they were slow growers before I bought the compot. I think if I had known it was that long of a wait, I would have bought the BS plant to start off with. Oh, well. At least now I got to share.

[katrina]

You know...having to wait so long could be a good excuse for buying another one.

Forgot to add -- I've recently learned the Didieri are also relatively "easy"....so had to get one of these. Just purchase a mounted BS of this one (will go in my giant humidity aquarium thing) and a BS of Aeranthes Grandiose (relative). Can't wait for arrival!!

[solay]

Katrina, you must post pics. when you get them.

Here are my Angraecums. Three on a mount and the rest in small pots.

[myorchid]

Cindy they look so cute! It will be a good experiment to see which grows best.

so far mine is doing OK!
My new spiking Angraecum scottianum will be here tomorrow!!!

[articuno75]

Mine is in a 2 inch pot with a bark, perlite coco husk mix. I still haven't taken pics of the little nub yet.

[myorchid]

How often are you watering? Pictures!!!!

[articuno75]

I normally have it sitting in the window sill. I water it about every two to three days. It seems to dry out quickly as I am also misting the base with wormtea daily. I'm watching this to see how this goes for another couple of weeks.

[solay]

I've been misting them daily too. The mount can last a couple of days before drying out completely though.

[patticake]

I can't wait to get back from vacation, and I haven't even left yet!

[solay]

Patti, your funny. Vacations are one thing that beats orchids in my book. I live for vacations. Hope you have tons of fun and relaxation.

[katrina]

Cindy -- they are all soooooooooooo cute but I love the 3 on a mount! With that many babies I think I would do a few different mounts/pottings/etc and just have fun with them.

Part of my "this week's" order is here...still waiting on the rest...once here I'll definitely post some pics.

PS -- will also have to post pics of my aerangis...the little thing has 2 spikes (one long and one teeny)...the biggest spike looks like it should be about ready to go shortly. Then again...I've never bloomed one of these so I have no idea what to expect in the way of time from spike poking up to actual bloom.

[solay]

Thank you Katrina. They are cute. I love tiny plants. I know what you're saying. Once you see a start of a spike, the waiting is torture. I'll be waiting for the pics.