A didi(eri) surprise :)

[Jennyfleur]

Okay, so the title of the thread is a poor pun if you don't know that 'didi'/ 'diddi' means 'little' - but, I did have a nice little surprise this morning.

My Angraecum didieri is in flower again It's last flower was only a little while ago and so I was surprised when a new bud started to form. Anyway, I didn't think it was anywhere near maturity yet but I came home this morning (after being away overnight yesterday) to find the flower nearly open (and spur nicely wound up begging me to free it!).

Even though the flower wasn't fully open, I thought I'd take a picture and share

[Carpe Diem]

I wish mine would surprise me like that! It is BS and was in bloom when I got it. I spray it daily until it's soaked, it hangs by a west window. Mine doesn't have roots like yours either. What am I doing wrong? Can you give me any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Bud]

That is a happy healthy plant....I love the roots going crazy all over the place....my didieri had just bloomed and there are two more buds coming out and waiting to open

@CarpeDiem: invest on a humidifier and it will give you more roots

[nenella]

Congrats Jenny that's really healthy plant !

[Jennyfleur]

Yes, this year especially, the roots have gone totally crazy! Actually, both my Angraecum and my Aerangis have had some good growing spurts -it makes me wonder why I was frightened to try them for so long in the past!

Carpe Diem - Let's see, mine is potted in a peat, fine bark and perlite mix and sits in a south-facing room. (Keeping in mind I'm in Southeast UK) It's just back from the window so it gets bright, indirect light in the summer and some early direct light in the winter. I try to remember to spray it every day, but I forget a lot of the time if my spray is in another room with some of the other chids

Rather than spraying, have you tried dipping and soaking the plant and the mount? Bud's more qualified than I to give USA growing tips, but that may help with the localised humidity as the wood dries out and give it some extra moisture on the roots (the aerials on my just drink and dry ultra quick!!) if you're not willing to get a humidifier.

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head, but I'll try to help if I can

[Bud]

CarpeDiem is in zone 3b....makes me think it is cold and dry in winters and maybe have a couple of months of warm humid window of opportunity in summers....soaking the wood for 15 min a week in fertilizer and water is a good idea from Jenny= but investing in a humidifier as a windowsill grower is also good for your health and for your other orchids....unless you are growing orchids in a Green house or terrarium then its awesome!

[Carpe Diem]

Jennyfleur and Bud,
thank you for your replies and suggestions. Bud is right about the climate - very short summers and looong winters. I soak the mount once a week for about 20 min. I have a humidifier but don't run it anymore. You see, I have 2 cats and when they get their crazy 5 min. (I think some of you cat owners know what I mean ) they fly through the house and knock things over. While I was at work they managed to knock the humidifier over, how, I don't know. My orchids are always in danger too. Those two are pure
I am going to try potting it and hope for improvement.

[Leafmite]

Very pretty! My first bloom was taken out by hail but it was wonderful. The fragrance was nice!
I have mine potted in plastic net pots and lava rock.

[WhiteRabbit]

Beautiful! What a great surprise!

[Jennyfleur]

Hey Sonya Yes, I'll take surprises like this anyday!

@Leafmite - Oh no! I hope you get another soon! I utterly adore the fragrance of mine and, since it seems to be growing nicely in my conditions, I'm really tempted to get another next time I order something!