Rangaeris muscicola

Also known as: The Moss or Aerangis falcifolia Aerangis engleriana Aerangis batesii Aerangis mixta Aerangis floribunda Aerangis solheidii Angraecum solheidii Listrostachys floribunda Listrostachys solheidii Mystacidium batesii Mystacidium muscicolum Listrostachys engleriana in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Cameroon Congo Ghana Guinea Kitui District - Kenya Liberia Malawi Mali Mozambique Nigeria South Africa Uganda Zambia Zimbabwe

General Information

The Moss is a monopodial cool to warm growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Cameroon, Congo, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Plant Description

Monopodial. Each new growth has numerous erect leaves that grow to 0.6-20cm long

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Care Notes

These orchids have a fine root system that can quickly die back if left dry for too long, but also does not like to be kept wet, so water regularly but ensure that the mix is dry before watering. 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 13mm to 211mm per day, heaviest in October and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 57% to 75%, highest in May and lowest in August. Temperature ranges from 11C to 26C, highest in August (14C to 26C) and lowest in January (11C to 21C).

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,