Angraecum didieri "Third Time's A Charm"

[MrHappyRotter]

Angraecum didieri is a powerfully fragrant miniature Angraecum, that's relatively common these days and usually pretty affordable. They are supposed to be easy to grow (more on that in later), and a good introductory plant for those inexperienced with growing Angraecums.

I don't think I've had this plant for a full year yet, and it's already bloomed for me 3 or 4 times. This time around I'm getting 5 flowers from 3 spikes (2-2-1). Of the 3 growths, there are 2 spikes on the largest growth, and 1 spike on one of the smaller growths. Plus, the growth that isn't currently in bloom has a new spike just starting to form. The flowers are proportionally large, about 3 1/2 inches wide and 3 inches tall. The largest growth itself is 6 inches tall and nearly the same width. Of course, the best thing about the plant is the powerfully fragrant flowers that are scented for a few hours right around dusk. The best approximation I have is a mixture of gardenia and camphor, which I recognize may sound gross, but it's actually very pleasant.

The reason for that tentative clonal name is that this is my third attempt at growing this species. Despite having a reputation for being a very easy to species to grow, I did manage to kill the first two. I drown the first one. I soaked it in some mildly soapy water to kill off some tiny black bugs I noticed on it, something I've done with tons of other orchids without issue. A few hours later, I returned to a plant whose leaves had turned translucent and dark green, almost like it had cooked. The second plant didn't even give me a chance to screw up, within a short time of owning it, it started dropping leaves until there were simply none left. I still have no clue what I did wrong with it. But this third plant, it's been extremely easy and obviously floriferous!

I'm growing it mounted to fern root, but sitting down in a pot. I mist the roots more or less every day, but I have also placed it in a spot where it gets good air flow from the overhead fan. Then once or twice a week I also splash a bit of water on it when I'm watering the rest of the plants. I'm just extra careful to empty the saucer shortly after since I'm paranoid about rotting the roots. As far as light, it's getting fairly bright conditions as it is on the shortest of the shelves. That's more than enough light to keep my Cryptanthus colored up nicely. This time of year, night temperatures can drop into the 60 F range. I would normally reduce watering a bit this time of year, but the plant has produced an explosion of new roots in the past month and in my experience, if the roots are actively (and explosively) growing it's a sign the plant wants to be watered.





After previewing this, I realize that the price is showing on the tag. The tag itself is firmly in the grip of the roots so I am unable to remove it for photographs and I guess I didn't bother to take the sticker off since the plant is so beautiful that I don't really notice it. Considering that it was a 3 growth plant with a bunch of "spike buds" on it when I bought it, and that it was one of the healthiest didieris that I'd seen, I felt like $35 was a decent price. I've seen and bought smaller plants in the $20 - $25 as well, so it's really not a terribly expensive species.

[estación seca]

Thank you for telling us how you grow it. I bought one at the beginning of October when I visited RF Orchids in Homestead, Florida. 'E ain't dead yet.

[FairyInTheFlowers]

I had one ages ago that was quite small, and in the year or so that I had it, the plant did absolutely nothing. In hindsight, I would have been better off watering a plastic plant! Although I do want to give this another go some day.

[JFeathersmith]

Congratulations! It's a gorgeous plant! I've killed two of them this year myself, very very swiftly, so it's kind of comforting to know I'm not alone in having trouble with this "easy" species. I'm not sure I'm willing to give it a third try; it was so horrible watching them literally fall apart. Both got rot in their roots, and then it moved up the stem, and the leaves fell off as it advanced. :< The first time I blame myself - I watered it too often. The 2nd one went so fast - and I was being way more careful with watering - that I'm not sure it was my fault or just some bad fungus/bacteria in the air that got into a bit of a damaged root, and I didn't know what to do to slow the infection.

[u bada]

Nice to hear see yours, MHR, and hear of yours and others stories with this... i've called at least 2 maybe 3 of these myself! (lol) I'm pretty sure I rotted them... kinda funny though because by the second time I kept it dry I've been hestitant to try again, but it is such a remarkable plant both in growth habit, in roots, and of course flower...

To the thought, as James/ Calorchid discussed with me, that these are dryer growing orchids... they are far from being cactus or succulents, so that balance of getting wet to getting dry... or maybe getting it wet and keeping any ounce of water off from the crown... or getting it wet and making sure the roots stay wet just long enough before they dry completely should they rot... well, holy cow, it can be tricky business...

having a good clone helps, i.e. genetics, so looks like you got a good one working for you there, MHR... where did you say you got it?

[MrHappyRotter]

Originally Posted by u bada

Where did you say you got it?

I picked this one up at The Orchid Trail, which is the local orchid vendor. I'm not sure where it was sourced from there.

I guess the "secret" for this plant is to start with a big, happy, healthy plant, then mist it daily in the morning and hope for the best.

[Beverly]

Beautiful plant! I just bought my 3rd or 4th one from J&L. It's got 2 or 3 spikes started. I hope I don't love it to death like my previous ones.

[MrHappyRotter]

Originally Posted by Beverly

Beautiful plant! I just bought my 3rd or 4th one from J&L. It's got 2 or 3 spikes started. I hope I don't love it to death like my previous ones.

Good luck.

This plant has bloomed two more times this year, already. In fact, it's back in bloom now with one flower open and 2 additional buds developing.

[bil]

Looks lovely. I have one of these on order, so I am hoping mine goes as well as yours has.