Read more of cultivation of Aerangis ugandensis Summerh.
Culture:
Light:
1200-2000 fc. This species grows well with indoor window sill or artificial light culture. When fluorescent lights are used, growers report success placing plants 6-9 in. (15-23 cm) below the lights.
Temperatures:
Summer days average 72-78F (22-26C), and nights average 53-54F (12C), with a diurnal range of 19-24F (11-13C).
Humidity:
Averages are not available for this location. Records from nearby stations indicate that over the region averages are 70-75% most of the year, dropping to near 65% for a short period in early spring. In late summer, values increase for a short period before falling to 55-60% for 3 months. Conditions may well be more humid in the riverine forests of the habitat than is indicated by the data recorded at weather stations, however.
Water:
The double wet - double dry rainfall pattern depicted in the weather data is common throughout the equatorial regions. The wet seasons occur in spring and autumn, while winter is the primary dry season with a secondary dry season occurring in summer. It is not known whether or not the double rainfall cycle is important to the health or blooming of this species. It does play an important role as the bloom trigger for other plants that originate in areas with the same rainfall pattern, however. Cultivated plants should be kept moist during periods corresponding to the wet seasons. They should be allowed to dry slightly between waterings during the dry seasons, but should never dry out completely or be left dry for extended periods. If the weather is hot, mounted plants should be drenched daily, or soaked (dunked) 3 times a week.
Fertilizer:
A balanced fertilizer, mixed at 1/4-1/2 recommended strength, should be applied weekly during periods of active growth. Many growers use a fertilizer with lower nitrogen and higher phosphate in autumn. If pots are used, the medium should be leached every few weeks to prevent salt buildup, especially when fertilizer is being applied most heavily. Plants should first be watered normally to dissolve any accumulated salts. An hour or so later, the medium is flushed with water equal to about twice the volume of the pot. Year-round leaching is important in areas with heavily mineralized water.
Rest period:
Winter days average 67-70F (19-21C), and nights average 53-54F (12C), with a diurnal range of 14-16F (8-9C). Rainfall is low during a 4-month period in winter and for 2 months in summer. However, high humidity in the stream-side habitat and nightly cooling results in some moisture being available from dew. In cultivation, these conditions may be simulated by early morning mistings, with thorough waterings given every two weeks or so. Plants should be watched carefully for signs of stress while water is reduced, particularly in summer. Water should be increased if such signs appear.
Growing media:
As with most Aerangis species, Aerangis ugandensis probably is more easily managed and the pendent flower spikes are more easily displayed when plants are mounted on slabs of tree-fern or rough bark.. Mounted plants need high humidity, however, and during hot, dry weather they may need several waterings a day. If it is difficult to keep mounted plants moist enough, they may be grown in a 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. Growers generally use coarse fir bark or shredded tree-fern fiber and add varying amounts of chunky perlite and/or chopped sphagnum moss to keep the medium open and retain some moisture in exceptionally dry areas. Including charcoal in the mix also holds the medium open and prevents souring in the pot. Plants should be repotted immediately if the medium starts to break down or whenever the plant outgrows its container. Repotting should be 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
