Read more of cultivation of Aerangis ellisii (B.S.Williams) Schltr.,
Culture:
Light:
1500-2300 fc. Plants require somewhat shady conditions and should be protected from high light. Strong air movement should be provided at all times.
Temperatures:
Summer days average 82-84F (28-29C), and nights average 64-65F (18C), with a diurnal range of 17-20F (9-11C). These temperatures are the average conditions under which this species grows. Because of the wide range in habitat elevation, plants should adapt to temperatures 5-7F (3-4C) warmer or cooler than indicated. Hillerman & Holst (1986) reported that their plants grow well in good light and intermediate conditions.
Humidity:
75-80% most of the year, dropping to 65-70% for about 4 months in late winter and spring.
Water:
Rainfall is moderate to very heavy from late spring to autumn. Average rainfall then drops rapidly into a five-month dry season that starts in late autumn and lasts until early spring. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily while actively growing, but their roots must dry rapidly after watering.
Fertilizer:
1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. Many growers prefer to use a balanced fertilizer throughout the year; but others use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to midsummer, then switch to one high in phosphates in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Winter days average 72-74F (22-23C), and nights average 52-54F (11-12C), with a diurnal range of 19-22F (11-12C). These temperatures reflect the average conditions under which this species should be grown. The wide range in habitat elevation suggests that plants should adapt to temperatures 4-6F (2-3C) warmer or cooler than indicated. Rainfall in the habitat is low from autumn to early spring and in the northern parts of the island the dry season lasts even longer. Humidity is high throughout the year, however, so considerable moisture is available from heavy dew and late-night mist. Cultivated plants need less water in late autumn through winter, but they should be watered periodically to prevent excessive drying. Occasional early-morning mistings between infrequent light waterings should provide sufficient moisture in most growing areas. Water should be increased somewhat if leaves shrivel or show signs of stress. Fertilizer should be eliminated until new growth starts and heavier watering is resumed in spring.
Growing media:
Plants may be mounted or grown in small, well-drained containers filled with a moderately fine fir bark mix or mounted on bark slabs. However, Hillerman & Holst (1986) reported that mounted plants require ample padding of moss or other material at the roots to hold moisture. They further stated that keeping mounted plants wet most of the day during the warmer summer months promotes good growth. During hot, dry weather mounted plants may need several waterings a day. If it is difficult to keep mounted plants moist enough, they may be grown in a rather small, shallow pot or basket filled with a very open, fast-draining medium that has excellent drainage, is well aerated, and allows the medium to dry fairly rapidly after watering. Plants should be repotted immediately if the medium starts to break down, but repotting is best done just as new roots start to grow. This enables the plant to become reestablished in the shortest possible time.
Miscellaneous notes:
Long blooming and frequent blooming orchid species.
References:
This information is quoted from a Charles and Margaret Baker culture sheet, with permission from Troy Meyers
