Read more of Cultivation of Ancistrochilus thomsonianus (Rchb.f.) Rolfe
Light:
1200-2000 fc. Strong air movement is recommended at all times.
Temperatures:
Conditions vary only slightly throughout the year. Days average 74-80F (23-27C), nights average 62-64F (17-18C), and the diurnal range is 12-17F (7-9C).
Humidity:
85-90% from summer through autumn, dropping to 75-80% in winter and spring.
Water:
Rainfall is very heavy from spring through autumn, with a 2-3 month dry season in winter. Cultivated plants should be kept evenly moist and not be allowed to dry out completely between waterings while they are in active growth. However, water should be gradually reduced in late autumn after new growths mature.
Fertilizer:
A solution mixed at 1/4-1/2 recommended strength should be applied weekly while plants are actively growing. A high-nitrogen fertilizer is beneficial from spring to midsummer, but a fertilizer high in phosphates should be used in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Growing temperatures should be maintained throughout the year. While rainfall is less in winter, some does fall each month, and additional moisture is available from frequent heavy dews in the rainforest habitat. For cultivated plants, water should be reduced but not eliminated for 3 months in winter. Plants should be allowed be become almost dry between waterings. The normal watering schedule should be resumed in spring when new growth becomes evident. Growers report that a 54F (12C) dry rest is needed after leaf fall, but this is cooler than indicated by the climate table. However, keep in mind that the 3000 ft. (910 m) elevation used for habitat elevation is our interpretation of "grows at moderate elevations" If the habitat is actually at 5000 ft. (1520 m), temperatures would be 6-8F (3-4C) cooler than indicated in the table. Fertilizer should be reduced or eliminated during the dry rest and resumed when watering is increased in spring.
Growing media:
Hawkes (1965) recommended that these plants be grown the same as the evergreen, tropical Dendrobiums and Bulbophyllums. Some growers recommend using a mix of fine fir bark with about 10% charcoal and 10% perlite added. Because long rhizomes may result in a rather rambling growth habit, baskets, shallow pots, or bulb pans are generally preferred. This is especially true when growing a large, specimen type plant. The shallow depth of the container allows faster drying so that the medium does not become stale or soggy. Pots are usually filled about half with medium of coarse fir bark for improved drainage. The plant is set in place and the pot filled with fine bark or the mix previously mentioned. Since the plant is naturally an epiphyte, slab culture could probably also be used, but we have not found a single reference referring to its use in cultivation. In addition, we have found no reference to the use of tree-fern fiber as a medium. It should work well, however, especially in baskets or in drier regions where a medium that retains more moisture is desired. Plants should be repotted when the medium starts to break down or when the plant has outgrown the container. Repotting is best done just as new roots start to grow, as this allows the plant to become reestablished as quickly as possible.
References:
This information is quoted from a Charles and Margaret Baker culture sheet, with permission from Troy Meyers
Hamilton, R. 1988. When does it flower? 2nd ed. Robert M. Hamilton, 9211 Beckwith Road, Richmond, B. C., Canada V6X 1V7. Hawkes, A. (1965) 1987. Encyclopaedia of cultivated orchids. Faber and Faber, London. Hutchinson, J., and J. Dalziel, ed. 1968. Flora of west tropical Africa, vol. 3-part 1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Kew Data Base. 2009. http.//apps.kew.org/wcsp/home.do la Croix, I. and E. la Croix. 1997. African orchids in the wild and in cultivation. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
