Intro:
Amesiella philippinense is a small, compact species with very large white flowers in proportion to the leaves. Originally labeled as Angraecum, Amesiella philippinense and monticolla are the only species in the genus. The flowers are also fragrant. This plant looks very much like a super sized Neofinetia falcata, and most likely was the same species thousands of years ago.
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Light:
This plant prefers medium light, from 1500 to 2000 footcandles. When growing at windowsills, eastern exposure is ideal. When growing under fluorescent lights, grow 12 to 16 inches from the tubes.
P.L. Lights systems are a great way to provide artificial light to your orchids. See our P.L. Lights page for more information on this great product we offer.
Temperature:
This plant prefers intermediate to warm temperatures. Winter nighttime lows should be 60 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter daytime temps should be 70 to 75 degrees. Summer temps can be a few degrees warmer.
Humidity:
50% or higher is ideal. The use of humidity trays or room humidifiers is beneficial.
We offer two products that can help increase humidity levels. The humidity tray offered in black or white, and the Mist Maker. Please click on the underlined text for more information on these products.
Water:
It is best to use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water. Municipal water with a pH of 7.5 or lower can also be used. Water as the mix approaches dryness but do not allow the mix to become completely dry between watering.
Overwatering can cause several problems such as root rot and infectious bacteria/fungus in the potting medium. One product we offer that can help these problems if caught at an early stage is Phyton 27 bactericide and fungicide.
Fertilizer:
We highly recommend
Green Jungle Orchid Food, especially formulated to work with rain, distilled, reverse osmosis water or water low in alkalinity. Fertilize with Green Jungle every time you water. (NOTE: If using sphagnum moss, fertilize with Green Jungle every third watering.) Or, use
GrowMore 20-10-20 Ureafree for municipal or well water. Use at the rate of ½ teaspoon per gallon. If using GrowMore with rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add back in 5 - 10% municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter.
Another fertilizer we offer is: GrowMore 6-30-30 (Cymbidium and bloom boosting formula).
Flowering:
This plant generally blooms in the spring but can also bloom in the fall months. The 2 to 2½ inch flowers are pure white sometimes with a very small splotch of yellow in the center of the lip. There can be anywhere from 2 to 6 flowers per spike with several spikes produced when mature.
Repotting:
Repot this species in the spring or fall months. This should be done once every year to year and a half. Use a clay pot with small bark mix or New Zealand sphagnum moss as your potting medium. Keep dry for the first week after repotting to allow any cracked roots to heal. As pictured, the Japanese style sphagnum mount also works very well.
We offer several different types of potting medium. Here are direct links to what we believe to be some of the best potting mediums available for orchids: Orchids Limited bark mix, New Zealand sphagnum moss, coco husk, coco peat, sponge rock,charcoal, tree fern fiber, osmunda fiber and cork slabs for epiphytic plants.
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