Intro:
Aerengis luteo alba var. rhodosticta heralds from Kenya and is often found growing in slightly shady conditions on small trees or shrubs. They also have been found growing on coffee trees and do very well on them. These are wonderful miniature orchids which produce the most beautiful one inch white flowers with a red-orange column at various times of year. They will grow and develop into specimens with several growths as they mature.
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Light:
Low to medium light, similar to Phalaenopsis, though they will tolerate brighter light. East windows are ideal. Artificial light culture such as fluorescent or high pressure sodium fixtures works well also.
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:
These plants can be grown in intermediate temperatures from 58 to 64 degrees Fahrenheit at night in winter and a day time temp of 70 to 80 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:
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.
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.
Other fertilizers offered are as follows: GrowMore 6-30-30 (Cymbidium and bloom boosting formula) and GrowMore 20-6-16 (Tropical plant food with calcium and magnesium additives).
Flowering:
Flowering season is various and can occur during winter or spring. These spikes can produce up to 20 one inch flowers per spike, and can easily bloom for 4 to 6 weeks. The color is a crystalline white with a red-orange column in the center of the flower
Repotting:
These plants can either be grown in pots or on slabs. When growing on slabs, it is important to remember that the humidity is kept high at all times, or the plant may dehydrate and wither. If this kind of humidity isn't present, we recommend growing them in a pot. Use either a bark mix, or sphagnum mix if it is a clay pot. Repot in spring months after flowering.
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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