Read more of cultivation of Aerangis fastuosa (Rchb.f.) Schltr.
Culture:
Light:
1200-2500 fc. Light should be filtered or diffused, and plants should not be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times. Hillerman & Holst (1986) reported, "Light levels can be quite low and still promote blooming, although it can tolerate, and seems to benefit from, higher levels.
Temperatures:
Summer days average 75-76F (24C), and nights average 63-64F (17-18C), with a diurnal range of 12F (7C).
Humidity:
Near 85% most of the year, dropping to near 80% for 2-3 months in spring.
Water:
Rainfall is very heavy most of the year. Amounts decrease somewhat for a month or so in spring, but the habitat is never truly dry. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily while actively growing, but conditions around the roots should never become stale or soggy.
Fertilizer:
1/4–1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. Many growers 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 65-67F (18-19C), and nights average 54-56F (12-13C), with a diurnal range of 10-12F (6-7C). In winter, water should be reduced somewhat for most cultivated plants, especially those grown in the dark, short-day conditions common in temperate latitudes. They should never be allowed to dry out completely, however. If water is reduced, fertilizer should also be reduced.
Growing media:
Plants may be 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 often decline gradually unless drenched daily or kept quite damp, and that high humidity is essential. 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.
References:
This information is quoted from a Charles and Margaret Baker culture sheet, with permission from Troy Meyers
