What should I do if I water my Lemon-scented aerangis too much or too little?
Overwatered Lemon-scented aerangis Symptoms of overwatering include limp and wrinkled leaves, yellowing or decay, and general failure to thrive. When Lemon-scented aerangis owners see their plant’s leaves looking limp and shriveled, they can sometimes assume that is a sign that it isn’t getting enough water so they keep adding more. This just compounds the problem, so it’s important to look beyond the leaves to identify what’s happening with the roots. Healthy Lemon-scented aerangis roots are silvery green, green, or white and feel firm to the touch. When Lemon-scented aerangis has been overwatered, the roots will look mushy, limp, and brown or black in color. Rescue an overwatered Lemon-scented aerangis by cutting off any rotted roots with a sterile knife or garden shears and repotting them into a new growing medium. It is always better to avoid overwatering because it is possible you won’t be able to save your plant if root rot sets in, so be conservative with water to avoid this issue. Underwatered Lemon-scented aerangis Unfortunately, the initial symptoms of underwatering and overwatering are almost identical in Lemon-scented aerangis. Check the growing medium with your finger or a moisture meter to get a sense of how much water is being retained. You may need to increase the frequency of watering to get back on track with watering. Once again, the best way to understand the situation is to take a look at the roots. Underwatered roots look crisp, brown, and brittle. Healthy roots are pliable and green, so the difference should be obvious. Luckily it’s easy to revive a thirsty Lemon-scented aerangis, as long as the plant still has some healthy roots left. Trim off any dried up or dead root pieces, as they won’t be able to come back to life. Then repot the plant and water thoroughly. Within a week or two, shriveled and limp leaves should start to firm up and look healthy. If the leaves are too damaged to be revived once you water them thoroughly, they can be removed to make room for new growth.
How often should I water my Lemon-scented aerangis?
Regardless of which type of medium you use, your Lemon-scented aerangis should be watered when the mix is mostly but not completely dry. This can vary depending on the environmental conditions, but generally it will be about once or twice a week in summer and as infrequently as once every 2 weeks in winter.
How to water Lemon-scented aerangis?
Lemon-scented aerangis is a epithet plant, which means that they do not grow in soil as most plants do. In order to grow a happy and healthy Lemon-scented aerangis, you’ll need to choose your growing medium carefully. Regardless of what your Lemon-scented aerangis grows in, the container needs to have plenty of drainage holes. Lemon-scented aerangis pots are specifically designed to hold a chunky potting mix with lots of ventilation compared to other plant pots. They also tend to be tall and narrow, allowing air to circulate around the center of the roots, not just the edges. One popular potting medium for Lemon-scented aerangis and other Lemon-scented aerangis is bark. It is generally sourced from fir trees and drains very well. Since Lemon-scented aerangis grows on bark in the wild, it makes sense that they would do well with a similar substrate when grown indoors. The disadvantage of using bark is that the plant needs watering more often since bark dries out quickly. The other common planting medium for orchids in sphagnum moss. Most commercially grown Lemon-scented aerangis specimens will be sold in moss, because it is lightweight, cheap, and it allows nurseries to water less often. Unfortunately, sphagnum moss is not very forgiving for those who aren't experts in orchids. Because it is extremely absorbent, moss runs the risk of holding too much water next to the roots, resulting in root rot. If your Lemon-scented aerangis is planted in sphagnum and you plan to keep it that way, be very judicious in your watering. Less is more when it comes to watering in general, and it is quite difficult to reverse root rot once it has set in. Watering your Lemon-scented aerangis from below is recommended, as this allows you to avoid splashing water on the leaves, stem, and flowers. To water from below, set the pot into a container of water and allow the roots to soak up moisture for 10-15 minutes. Normally, you can stop this process when the surface of sphagnum is wet. Drain thoroughly before returning your Lemon-scented aerangis to its normal location, as these plants hate to sit in water.
Does my Lemon-scented aerangis need to be pruned?
The usual goal for the Lemon-scented aerangis is to have it grow as big and full as possible. While the plant doesn’t require consistent trimming, it can benefit by removing old flowers and any damaged, dead, or diseased leaves. You can also trim back the leaves if it is starting to get too big for the pot and space you are keeping it.
When is the best time to prune my Lemon-scented aerangis?
Lemon-scented aerangis don’t have a winter dormancy cycle at the suitable temperature. With that said, their growth does slow down as the days get shorter, however the leaves don’t die. What does that mean for pruning? It means there’s no specific season where it’s better to prune. Ideally, you will want to wait until the flower blooms before pruning it, which can take about a month after the appearance of the blossom. With deadheading, you’ll want to do this around late spring or when only a few of the blossoms have faded. You should always prune brown or yellow leaves when you notice them. Throughout the growing phase, make sure to pay close attention to any potential diseased leaves and remove these as necessary.
What should I do after pruning my Lemon-scented aerangis?
Once you’ve pruned your plant, you should dispose of the stems and leaves either by composting the healthy ones or throwing out the diseased parts. You can also fertilize just before or after pruning, which gives Lemon-scented aerangis a little vitamin boost that can provide it the nutrients needed to better protect itself from any nearby pathogens or diseases. You don’t need much after care when you’re done pruning. It might benefit from light watering and some liquid plant food to encourage new blooms and growth.
How can I prune my Lemon-scented aerangis during different growth stages?
Chances are you’re not getting the Lemon-scented aerangis from seed, which means you’re already getting a mature plant. Since the plant doesn’t have a true dormancy cycle, there are really only two phases: blooming and non-blooming. While the plant is blooming, you should only remove yellow or dead leaves and cut off any brown tips on the leaves. Avoid doing too much pruning during this time as it can stress the plant. Still, you should remove any diseased or dead leaves to keep your plant presentable. The best time to prune is after the blossoms have already wilted. You can remove both the spent blossoms and any old and yellowed leaves at the same time. If you’re noticing a large amount of yellow leaves, you might be overwatering your plant or not giving it enough nutrients. While yellow or brown leaves don’t always mean there’s an issue, if you notice a large amount of leaves shifting colors, it usually means there’s a problem with the plant.
How can I prune my Lemon-scented aerangis during different seasons?
As an evergreen plant, Lemon-scented aerangis doesn’t have the same cycles as those found in colder areas. The leaves will remain green throughout the year, which is one of the many reasons it is a popular houseplant. If you want to deadhead, you should do so after the blossoms have already wilted. Throughout the growing phase, make sure to pay close attention to any potential diseased leaves and remove these as necessary.
Are there any instructions for pruning my Lemon-scented aerangis?
How you prune the Lemon-scented aerangis will depend on whether you’re performing general care or deadheading. For general care, simply cut off the blossoms that have already died. Make sure to get as close to the base as possible and snip at a 45-degree angle. Repeat this for all stalks with wilting blooms. After that, trim back any outer leaves that are old and yellowing. If you simply want to thin the plant out, start with the outermost leaf and work your way in. Avoid removing more than 30 percent of the leaves at once. Throughout the growing phase, make sure to pay close attention to any potential diseased leaves and remove these as necessary.
How many hours of sunlight does Lemon-scented aerangis need to grow?
Lemon-scented aerangis requires about 3-6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. However, it also needs some shade during the hottest parts of the day to prevent sun damage. Morning sunlight is ideal for Lemon-scented aerangis, but it can also tolerate some afternoon sun if the temperature is not too hot. To provide the perfect balance of sunlight, try planting Lemon-scented aerangis in an area that gets partial sun, such as under a tree or on the east side of a building.
What will happen if Lemon-scented aerangis doesn’t get enough sunlight?
If Lemon-scented aerangis is exposed to too much direct sunlight, its leaves may turn yellow, dry out, or even burn. You may also notice that the plant wilts or becomes stunted. To prevent sun damage, make sure to give Lemon-scented aerangis some shade during the hottest parts of the day. You can use a shade cloth or plant Lemon-scented aerangis near taller plants that can provide some natural shade.
What will happen if Lemon-scented aerangis gets too much sunlight?
If Lemon-scented aerangis doesn't get enough sunlight, it may grow tall and lanky, with sparse foliage. The leaves may also turn yellow or pale green, indicating that the plant is not producing enough chlorophyll due to lack of sunlight. To remedy this, try moving Lemon-scented aerangis to a sunnier spot, or prune nearby foliage to allow more light to reach the plant.
Why do I need to fertilize my Lemon-scented aerangis?
Fertilization is important to the Lemon-scented aerangis for several general reasons. Mainly, fertilization helps Lemon-scented aerangis and other plants by providing key nutrients that help the plant grow both above and below ground. However, the overall fertilization needs for a Lemon-scented aerangis are relatively low. At times, a Lemon-scented aerangis may survive well without fertilization. However, annual fertilization is can be very beneficial to the Lemon-scented aerangis, as it will help keep the plant alive and may also encourage your Lemon-scented aerangis to create better flowers that last for longer. As such, those interested in helping their Lemon-scented aerangis look its best should keep up with annual fertilization.
When is the best time to fertilize my Lemon-scented aerangis?
The ideal time to fertilize a Lemon-scented aerangis is in the late winter to early spring. During that time, your Lemon-scented aerangis will be exiting its dormant phase and entering a phase of active growth. Fertilization at this time allows the plant to get off to a great start for the season by encouraging healthy growth. While it is generally most advantageous to fertilize a Lemon-scented aerangis during the early spring, it is also permissible to fertilize a Lemon-scented aerangis during the fall too. However, summer and winter remain the seasons in which it is not a good idea to feed a Lemon-scented aerangis.
When should I avoid fertilizing my Lemon-scented aerangis?
You should not fertilize your Lemon-scented aerangis during any time of the year except during the late winter and early spring. The low fertilization needs of this plant allow a single annual feeding to suffice. Continuing to fertilize throughout spring, summer, and fall can easily lead to overfertilization and all of the complications that can come with it. The only exception is if you did not fertilize in spring, which means that it is permissible to feed this plant in fall. Along with refraining from fertilizing for most of the growing season, there is also no reason to fertilize this plant during the winter. In winter, the Lemon-scented aerangis will be in a dormant growth phase, meaning that it does not put forth new growth. With that being the case, fertilization during most of the winter is not advisable.
What type of fertilizer does my Lemon-scented aerangis need?
Nearly any kind of general-purpose fertilizer with a balanced amount of the three main plant nutrients will work well for a Lemon-scented aerangis. However, there are a few specific nutrient blends that can be even more beneficial. For instance, many gardeners follow the belief that higher volumes of phosphorus make for stronger roots and better flowers. Since Lemon-scented aerangis is a flowering plant, applying a phosphorus-rich fertilizer may be the best approach. You can use a fertilizer that comes in a granular form or a liquid form as long as there are plenty of nutrients present. Outside of manufactured fertilizers, you can also use more organic means to improve the soil for your Lemon-scented aerangis. Mainly, compost, manure, and similar materials can go a long way towards creating a healthy growing medium for your Lemon-scented aerangis.
How do I fertilize my Lemon-scented aerangis?
The most common way to fertilize a Lemon-scented aerangis is to apply a granular or pellet fertilizer to the soil around your plant. Remember that the ideal time to fertilize is as the plant is exiting its winter dormant growth phase and entering a phase of active growth. In early spring, wait until the plant begins to send shoots through the soil, and then apply your fertilizer. Some people may choose to use a liquid fertilizer instead of a granular one. In that case, you should dilute the fertilizer with water before applying it. Regardless of whether you use granular or liquid fertilizer, it is always best to moisten the soil before, during, and after you apply fertilizer.
What happens if I fertilize my Lemon-scented aerangis too much?
As you care for your Lemon-scented aerangis, recall that this plant does not need a lot of fertilizer each year and will begin to suffer if it receives too much. Firstly, any overfertilized plant runs the risk of fertilizer burn, a condition in which excessive amounts of fertilizer draw nutrients and moisture out of the plant's roots, causing its decline. Also, overfertilizing a Lemon-scented aerangis is also a way of weakening your plant and making disease far more likely. There is also a potential that overfertilization could cause your Lemon-scented aerangis to flower less or not at all, which is a significant detriment considering the blooms of this plant are what make it so valuable and sought after by so many gardeners.
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