Angraecum leonis with wrinkled leaves - Orchid Board

bethmarie · #1 08-23-2012, 11:42 AM

This is my first angcm. It arrived about a week ago, and some of the leaves showed wrinkling when I got it. Looking for advice about how to get her plumped back up. I don't want to water it to death, but do want to make sure I water it enough. It's in a very chunky bark mix with a little coarse perlite. I've got an air-o-swiss micro fine mist humidifier that I run when the lights are on. Humidity runs around 60%. Is daily watering too much? Any thoughts welcome.

Leafmite · #2 08-23-2012, 06:29 PM

My leaves were wrinkled this spring so I soaked it a few times and the leaves plumped up. Apparently, these have a dry period and then a rainy season. Here is a good site:

Genus Angraecum - Angraecum Encyclopedia

Leafmite · #3 08-23-2012, 06:43 PM

I am assuming your roots are fine. Being so thin, the roots of a leonis do not store water as many of the other angraecums do. When watering, soak well, then let dry. This is where moving air is very vital...the leonis might rot or have fungus/bacterial issues if the air is stagnant. I think the didieri, magdalenae, and sesquipidale are tougher/easier because of their fat roots. My leonis takes quite a bit of babying. Hope this helps!

bethmarie · #4 08-23-2012, 07:30 PM

The roots look fine, for the most part. some dried, and a couple damaged in transport, but overall good. I was surprised by how thin the roots were--didn't know until I got it.
I do have a small, low powered fan that keeps the air moving in the growing area. It's aimed at the wall behind the plants.
How long did you soak it, and how often. Having recently rotted my first phal. I'm gun-shy about keeping anyone too wet. Thanks for the link, and the helpful reply

Leafmite · #5 08-23-2012, 10:25 PM

I have mine in a net pot/lava rock so it dries fast. I soaked just the pot (not the leaves) for about ten minutes every couple of days. It was summer and ~90'F so it dried fast. It took a few soakings until it lost the wrinkles. Mine is a few years from blooming and the scale probably set it back. It has been outside all summer. I have been watering it as I do the other orchids. Seems okay with that. Your conditions for growing this seem optimal, mine are not (I grow in the home). I use distilled or rain water with fertilizer and flush the pots now and then when inside as these are rumored to be sensitive to salt build-up. I like to note the area where the angs grow, then look up the monthly temps and rainfall. It helps me to get an idea of what they like. Good luck!

bethmarie · #6 08-23-2012, 11:03 PM

I'm growing indoors, too, with supplemental light and humidity. I don't have a great spot outside to hang orchids - concerned about burning them in direct sun. Never have been patient enough to acclimatize either. Are you growing the Comoro variety or the smaller madagascar variety? I have the comoro--have looked everywhere for the madagascan and can't find one in the US so far.

Leafmite · #7 08-24-2012, 12:37 AM

I have no idea which type it is. I wanted the magdalenae and added the leonis and sequip. to make the shipping worthwhile. I usually buy seedlings as I rarely find what I want, blooming-sized, and these three were no exception.
You should be fine with this orchid. I think angraecums are easier than phals. With the leonis, scale can hide in the folded leaves and be difficult to eradicate but that is the only trouble I have had with them. Good luck!