Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum sororium Schltr.
Culture:
Light:
2500-4000 fc. Light should be bright but somewhat filtered or diffused, and plants should not be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times. Although plants grow on rock outcrops where they are exposed to full sun, visitors to the habitat report that they are often somewhat protected by mist and low clouds. Hillerman & Holst (1986) stated: "We have found that in order for it to flower well, Angraecum sororium must have as much sunlight as possible combined with plenty of air movement -as in its high, exposed, natural habitat - to prevent the leaves from being burned."
Temperatures:
Summer days average 72-74F (22-23C), and nights average 54-55F (12-13C), with a diurnal range of 17-20F (9-11C). These plants should thrive if grown in the cool, moist airflow from an evaporative cooler.
Humidity:
75-80% most of the year, dropping to near 65% for a short time in spring.
Water:
Rainfall is very heavy from late spring to early autumn. Amounts then decrease fairly rapidly at the beginning of the 5-month dry season, which lasts from late autumn to early spring. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily while actively growing. Water should be reduced after new growth is completed in autumn.
Fertilizer:
1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. Many growers use a balanced fertilizer all year. Others, however, prefer to use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to midsummer and then switch to a high-phosphate formula in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Winter days average 62-64F (17-18C), and nights average 42-44F (6-7C), with a diurnal range of 19-22F (11-12C). Rainfall in the habitat is low in winter, but additional moisture often is available from heavy dew and mist. Cultivated plants need less water in winter, but they should not dry out completely or stay dry for long periods. Fairly regular early-morning mistings between infrequently light waterings should provide sufficient moisture in most growing areas. Fertilizer should be reduced or eliminated until new growth starts and heavier watering is resumed in spring.
Growing media:
Plants may be grown in shallow, well-drained containers filled with a very open, fast-draining medium that has excellent drainage and is well aerated. Hillerman & Holst (1986) stated: "Based on the author's experience, this species can be grown in a variety of terrestrial and semiterrestrial media, ranging from pure fine sand, perlite, lava rock, pumice, or a combination of these and others to the semiterrestrial mix recommended in our chapter on Culture, medium to fine fir bark, leafmold, etc. In fact, the only potting medium we have found to be definitely detrimental to the plant's welfare is coarse fir bark. Some growers add lumps of granite of decomposed quartzite to their mix to simulate the species' natural environment and to ensure good drainage, but that is a matter of personal preference." Growers generally use medium-sized 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. 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
