Aerangis articulata

Angraecoids Species

by Tom Kuligowski

Posted by Tom Kuligowski over 6 years ago.


This article references Aergs. articulata.
Article Blog   Article Index

     Aerangis articulata, the Latin word meaning "jointed".  This plant was formerly known as Angraecum articulatum and Angraecum descendens in the early 1900s.  My thought on the bottom line however, is that it is one of the most showy angreacoids you can have in a collection.
     A. articulata has grown in my collection in the deepest shady part of my arbor for well over four years.  It gets no direct sunlight at all; spackled or otherwise.  As you can see in the image below, it is mounted.  This plant is watered daily almost 8 months out of the year.  Watering is cut back to 2 - 3 times a week (depending on seasonal temperature) from early November into early March.

     In it's natural environment, A. articulata grows on tree trunks that are usually close to moving water.  It also does well at higher elevations were it is effected by the constant mountian mist.  This is the reason the plant thrives on the large amount of water that I give it.  The slight hanging from the mount allows me to water the entire plant and not have to worry about stem rot.  The excess water just runs off and away from the stem.

     The root system grows throughout the warmer months and will slow down and often stop growing after the blooms fall off.  This period can last up to 3 months.  Keep in mind that it is in the Angreacum Alliance; so don't cut any of the roots at any time.  Once a root has completely dried out and is dead, you can cut it then.

     I fertilize the plant once every week with a normal dose of a balanced fertilizer.  As far as a fungicide, the entire plant is sprayed with a systemic fungicide every four weeks.  It is exposed to more moisture than some of the other Angreacums and is more susceptible to fungus and bacteria.

     A. articulata will flower between the months of March and August here in the states.  Usually April in the sub tropical conditions in South Florida.  The inflorescence can take up to 7 - 8 months to develop before any buds appear and will be about 8 inches long.  They appear below the leaves at the axil of old leaf sheaths.  Each inflorescence can contain up to 24 pristine white flowers that are about 2 inches wide and tall with a spur of about 5 - 6 inches.

     As buds start to develop on the inflorescence, you will notice them at every bract or "joint".  They all grow at about the same speed.  They are at alternating positions on the inflorescence and develop standing up so that the spur drops down properly.  The flowers will open at just about the same time (usually within a 24 - 48 hours span) with the flowers starting at the tip (being slightly larger) than the flowers opening at the base of the inflorescence which are slightly smaller.

     As you can see, the A. articulata is an extremely beautiful plant.

Share on Social Media:  
Log in to Add a Comment

New Topics

  1. Stephen Dorsey asked question Articles posted in category General Discussion
  2. Elizabeth Wagner asked question Myrmecatavola Frances Fox in category Orchid Doctor
  3. Burt Holstein started topic Error in plant origination in category Cymbidiums
  4. loan le started topic help with Clowesia Grace Dunn Chadd Ford Mericlone in category General Discussion

New Comments

  1. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Articles posted" by Stephen Dorsey
  2. Mary Lane commented on member plant Phal. I-Hsin Rose Milkshake by s mcn
  3. William Gorski commented on member plant Bc. Memoria Nancy Ginoccho by William Gorski
  4. Shawn Dvorak commented on member plant Bulb. mucronatum by Shawn Dvorak
  5. Diana Lenartiene commented on scheduled event "Hoot Loves Orchids" by Port Saint Lucie Orchid Society
  6. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Orchid Species in the Philippines" by unknown user
  7. Dennis Andison commented on article "Orchid Wiz - what will we do without you?" by Carol Holdren
  8. loan le commented on topic "help with Clowesia Grace Dunn Chadd Ford Mericlone" by loan le
  9. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Mediocalcar decoratum (Candy corn orchid) help" by Jason heeres
  10. Carol Holdren commented on topic "How do I get my orchid ID?" by GIBSON PWASHIKAI
  11. Arne Schon commented on orchid B. perrinii
  12. Linda Thorne commented on member plant Rlc. Williette Wong 'The Best' by Linda Thorne
  13. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Z. Redvale Jasmyn" by Shaun Bloodworth
  14. Marie H Miller commented on member plant C. aclandiae by Kerrin Samm
  15. Linda C Clark commented on orchid C. Madeleine Knowlton
  16. Heather Williams commented on member plant Phal. equestris '‘996’' by Cara Anderson
  17. Heather Williams commented on orchid Paph. Vintner's Treasure
  18. Heather Williams commented on member plant Bct. Yuan Nan Mini 'Queen Anne' by Linda Thorne
  19. Heather Williams commented on member plant Pths. racemiflora 'Seagrove Golden Fiddles' by Linda Thorne
  20. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Chloraea Magellanica" by Harriet Schiele