Angraecum sesquipedale finally blooming!

[Dalachin]

Well don’t want to jinx this one, but look at this spike! Bought this May 22 from an Etsy seller because I was suddenly desperate for a blooming size Darwin’s orchid. I thought it was going to die on me that first summer, but then I decided to try semi hydro and it started growing roots. Another Christmas passed and I had given up hope when I noticed this spike!!!. Will keep you posted.

[PuiPuiMolcar]

congrats! I have a hybrid and it seems to not mind the semi hydro too. May I ask about your water regimen for this one? I keep mine moist but I'm quite new to putting orchid in leca so I'm still learning.

[Keysguy]

Congrats. I have 2 spikes and 5 flowers on mine at the moment.

I have had my plant for 10-12 years and I can tell you if they experience any change they can sulk for a couple of years and sometimes they'll die. "Change" can be a re-pot or just a slight shift in location or culture regimen.

I find them fickle as all heck but quite worth the patience.

[DirtyCoconuts]

i got one of these as a bag baby 5-6 years ago and have yet to coax a spike out of it so you are doing something well

[Keysguy]

How are u growing it DC?

Mine is a big plant in a tiny pot. 99% of the roots are everywhere but in the pot. It's when you try and stuff all those big roots into a pot that they will stroke out on you. I suspect there is not much more than mush in that little pot of mine but I'm not touching it again.

If I were starting over with a new plant down here in the Keys, I'd strap it to a hanger and grow it just like a vanda but under less intense light. I think it would be happier. Would never have to be repotted.

[Dalachin]

Originally Posted by Keysguy

How are u growing it DC?

Semi hydro-- pure leca pellets in a soup takeout container with a reservoir. I keep the reservoir full and flush it once a week. It gets RO with weak K-lite on every watering. It's on the cattleya shelf on my tented shelves, so it gets lots of light and is right in front of the fan, and stays pretty warm-- high 70s and low 80s during the day in winter, low 70s at night. The shelf it is on has misters, but it isn't in the direct path of the misters so it just gets the humidity. It's been in this pot for 18 months and in this position in my grow setup for at least 8 months now.

As soon as I put it in semi hydro the root growth ramped up, it was dramatic. Mine really likes having access to water.

Keysguy, if I lived in the Keys, I'd definitely try it mounted on a tree! Too cold and dry here-- semi hydro in a tent seems to be the best I can do.