Hi everyone! Aerangis grower from Zürich here :)

Hi everyone
my name is Francesco and I am an Italian national living in Zürich, Switzerland. I have been growing orchids when I was younger, then gave up due to various transfers (University forst and work after). However, after quite some time, I have recently decided to restart and looked back at my previous experiences to avoid the mistakes I made in the past! So I did some research to find out which plants that would have fit my environment and my taste. The answer turned out to be Aerangis species! As there is not a lot of info on this orchid genus, I would be very happy to get in touch with other Aerangis growers to share experiences and ideas!

 

Hi Leo, many thanks for dropping by! It would be very nice to get in touch/meet to exchange experiences if you like

 

Hi many thanks!

 

Thanks!

 

Hi John! Thanks for your message! I am currently growing Citrata, Fastuosa, Biloba, Kotschyana, Punctata (2 varieties - regular and 4N), Luteo-Alba var. Rhodosticta, Articulata, Ellisii, Spiculata and Ugandensis.
My Fastuosa is currently in spike, I grow it in a quite coarse medium but with the addition of chopped sphagnum moss and some live sphagnum moss on the surface. This plant has very fine roots that cannot withstand drying out too much. So I believe that adding the moss on top was definitely a good move on your side.
When I started growing these plants, I found a lot of articles and info saying that they do not like to stay dry and love humidity. I think this information can be misleading as a lot of people would tend to overwater, hence quick plant loss. Currently, in addition to Fastuosa, I have other 4 plants spiking, Citrata, Articulata, Punctata and Ugandensis.
I am happy to share any info on the other species as well!
Happy growing

 

Hi CoveLady
thank you for your message and for dropping by! I understand your frustration but, despite being a quite easy to find species, I deem Citrata to be the fussiest of my Aerangis.
I grow Citrata and my other Aerangis on a windowsill...humidity level is between 55 and 60%. So far, my Citrata is growing quite well, it has two spikes and is actively growing roots and leaves.
If I were to say something about this species, is that it loves humidity at root level, but the plant literally hates to get wet. The new leaves are very tender, hence prone to rot, and if water would sit in the crown, I believe the plant would be lost very quickly. Keeping this in mind I am growing the plant sideways, I only mist the soil but never the plant, occasionally treat with fungicide, I water preferably in the morning and drain any excess water. Most importantly, I carefully dry the leaves and the crown if they get wet.
I hope this can be helpful and please feel free to reach out for any other question!
Happy growing

 

Hi Don!
I am not new to growing orchids but I have decided to focus on Aerangis only quite recently. The reason is that these plants are quite compact and the flowers are showy compared to the plants' size. Also, the conditions of my environment - south-west facing windowsill in the north of Switzerland, 55-60% humidity level - seem to suit them well. So far, I have Citrata, Fastuosa, Biloba, Kotschyana, Punctata (two varieties), Luteo Alba var Rhodosticta, Articulata, Ellisii, Spiculata and Ugandensis. I am now hunting for a Fuscata which I like very much.
All my plants grow in clear plastic pots, terracotta pots or weird containers I manufacture
Which species are you growing?
Happy growing and many thanks for your message

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks!