Aeranthes ramosa

[Becca]

I saw a picture of an Aeranthes ramosa, wow what a neat looking orchid! I must have one! I tried searching on Google, but wasn't able to find much info as far as it's living conditions it prefers. I did read that they like heavy shade. Can some one point me in the right direction to get more info on these and perhaps a vendor I may purchase from? I didn't have much luck finding a vendor in the U.S. or that would ship to the U.S. TIA!

[justatypn]

IOSPE PHOTOS

Here is a bit of information I came across....

Aeranthes ramosa

Native of: Eastern slopes of Madagascar

Habitat: Up to 1400m on trees in moist rain forest.

Description: Dark green 7cm flowers wide on long thin pendulous branching stems up to a meter long.

Cultivation Guidance: At school we grow this warm (min.150C) And keep it well watered throughout the year in low light. The plant flowers of the same stems for several years, so don’t cut old flower
stems off.

Flowering season: Summer

Aeranthes ramosa greatly resents disturbance of its root system. The roots are very fine and easily broken.

Not a whole heck of a lot of info and no info found on a vendor...maybe our international members might be able to shed some light on a vendor

[Becca]

Thanks for the info. I did find a international vendor, can't remember the name or where since I flushed the info down the hole becuase they wouldn't ship to the US. I have found one seedling, but I am trying to see if I can find a more mature one if possible.

[badlydrawnboy]

Hi Becca. I have a two years old seedling. It's not one of the best growers. The roots are very sensitive and rot fast when they get too wet. I'm cultivating it potted in fine bark, warm and shadowy.

[Ray]

Becca, you're doing the "inexperienced grower" thing by basing your acquisistions on appearance and not the needs of the plant - yeah, I saw that you had looked at the temperatures and light levels, but as Phil mentioned, they are slow growers and sensitive to the smallest variations in their growing conditions, so your cultural stability needs to be taken into account as well.

Try carolinaorchids.com

[Becca]

Ray, thank you for the reminder about needing a stable culture for this plant. It is something to ponder over. I am hoping soon I won't have such culture issues as I have now since I am getting an orchidarium....I realize it isn't a "solve all"....but it should really help my growing conditions. Thanks for the recommendation for a vendor!