Angraecum didieri - Orchid Board

Jennyfleur · #1 05-06-2011, 02:58 PM

This was one of the contestants in this year's Spring members' project. Since it didn't win, I know one or two of us bought it as travelling companions to help the winner on its journey. Therefore, for those of us who bought one of these lovelies, here's a support thread for us all where we can compare growing conditions, problems etc

Below is a picture of mine, which I thought was going to be cork mounted, but it turned up in a pot, never mind!

It has one spike already forming and one just starting to push its way out. Therefore, I'd really like to hear from anyone who's currently growing these to give a bit of a helping hand with culture advice, as I don't want the spikes to abort!

lund0682 · #2 05-06-2011, 03:34 PM

Mine is mounted on a piece of wood. It seems happy, but I've never had anything mounted before so I'm a little apprehensive. I hope I do well with this guy (and my new Gastrochilus japonicus too).

This plant has some type of new growth coming out of the crown, but to my unskilled eye it kind of looks like another leaf. How can you tell the difference between a spike and a leaf? (other than just waiting patiently to find out

)

Tindomul · #3 05-06-2011, 03:38 PM

Spikes are axillary, meaning they come from the side like in Phals.

I am not in the contest, but I did have one years ago. I got it from Andy's and it was mounted on wood just like lund's. I kept it in a well ventilated terrarium that got misted everyday. It was there for a few years and I saw maybe a few leaves but never any blooms. Decided to play around with where to keep it. I kept it hanging from a living room lamp, it stayed happy but no blooms. Then I put it in a brighter terrarium thinking lighting was the problem. Well it died slowly at that point. Would be curious to see how you all do.

Jennyfleur · #4 05-06-2011, 03:47 PM

Ha ha, thanks Tindo, not the most 'peppy' of pep-talks, but interesting!

So, maybe not too much light is the key (...sort of semi-light). Btw, I love the mental image I have of it hanging from a living room light! I wonder what the key to flowering is then...

What sort of temps did you give it?

To confirm about the spike, on mine, it is like the position on phal

zxyqu · #5 05-06-2011, 04:16 PM

Tindomul, that sounds like quite a ride for no blooms... Hopefully we'll have better luck, and I'll post some better pics of mine here in a second. Anyone have any ideas on light ranges for these little ones, I was think of a s/w mount outside, or an east sun only mount, but can't decide right now.

zxyqu · #6 05-06-2011, 04:17 PM

Jenny, any chance you can get the focal point on the plant so I can see the spike, interested to know where to pay attention too, and what one might look for. Thanks

Jennyfleur · #7 05-06-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxyqu

Jenny, any chance you can get the focal point on the plant so I can see the spike, interested to know where to pay attention too, and what one might look for. Thanks

I'll try tomorrow when there's better light - I had to take these photos out in the garden today as the light was really fading by the time I got back from work. My camera's only a little digital, so don't expect too much close-up detail

But, I'll try my best

ezil · #8 05-06-2011, 11:23 PM

I wasn't part of the contest either. My 1st one bloomed itself to death. It was still quite small, and I didn't have the experience yet to change the culture after the 1st bloom. My most recent 1 is on its 3 bloom, there is a 4th "bud" starting, but I'll discourage the plant from blooming until the new leaf is further along. Once this bloom is starting to fade, I snip it off, and move the plant to a slightly cooler location and reduce water somewhat. When I see the new "bud" (it's a triangular bump really) plump up I'll move it back to higher light levels. The humidity is never under 60-70%, and difference between night and day temps. about 5-7 degrees C. Hope this helps.

Jennyfleur · #9 05-07-2011, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezil

I wasn't part of the contest either. My 1st one bloomed itself to death. It was still quite small, and I didn't have the experience yet to change the culture after the 1st bloom. My most recent 1 is on its 3 bloom, there is a 4th "bud" starting, but I'll discourage the plant from blooming until the new leaf is further along. Once this bloom is starting to fade, I snip it off, and move the plant to a slightly cooler location and reduce water somewhat. When I see the new "bud" (it's a triangular bump really) plump up I'll move it back to higher light levels. The humidity is never under 60-70%, and difference between night and day temps. about 5-7 degrees C. Hope this helps.

Thanks Ezil - is yours mounted?

Jennyfleur · #10 05-07-2011, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zxyqu

Jenny, any chance you can get the focal point on the plant so I can see the spike, interested to know where to pay attention too, and what one might look for. Thanks

Here are some pics - hopefully, you can get the gist! The first three are from the spike which has actually come out and the last is from the next leaf joint up which looks like it's a spike just breaking through