Angraecum Didieri is a difficult orchid native to Madagascar‘s eastern and central regions. It is well-known for its lovely, white flowers with a fragrant scent. Didier’s Angraecum, Perrierangraecum Didieri, and Macro Plectrum Didieri are some of their common names. It was initially described in 1915 by Rudolf Schlechter.
It is an epiphyte that ranges in size from tiny to small and grows well in both hot and cold climates. Its short, up to 20 cm long stem carries five to seven ligulate, coriaceous, unevenly, and obtusely bilobed apical leaves.
In the northern hemisphere, Didier’s Angraecum blooms between April and June on a brief inflorescence with two to three bracts and a single flower. White, fragrant, and about 5 cm in diameter, the flowers emerge from the sinuses between the leaves.
Angraecum Didieri Orchid Description
Growth and Size
incredibly fragrant Angraecum didieri orchid Angraecum Didieri thrives as an epiphytic orchid in moist, tropical, evergreen forests. It grows at heights between 1950 and 4900 feet in regions with mild winters. It has a stem that is 7 to 8 inches long and is a miniature to small orchid. It is an orchid that grows very slowly. Hence, do not anticipate it to get large too quickly.
It also has a monopodial growth habit, like other vandaceous orchids. They develop from the plant’s top or crown.
Angraecum didieri seeds are sometimes used to propagate it by skilled growers, but this technique is too challenging for amateurs to attempt at home.
Leaves
There are five to seven obtuse, apical leaves on Angraecum Didieri. When the soil mixture is dry for longer periods of time, the leaves shrink. Too much fertilizer will cause the leaf tips to become dry and damaged. The black and dried leaf tips are a result of fertilizer burn.
Flowers
Little, white flowers on Angraecum Didieri are fragrant at dusk and at night. The flowers can range in size from 2 to 3 inches. Just one bloom is produced by each inflorescence.
During the winter rest time, you must limit watering and fertilizing for Angraecum Didieri which is in flower. Rarely do these orchids rebloom because they are not sequential bloomers. It can often take up to a year for a bud to blossom into a flower.
The blooms have a lovely scent that is somewhat woodsy and reminiscent of jasmines. They are pollinated by nocturnal moths and are most fragrant at night. The scent may be overbearing at first, but it gradually becomes enticing. To make up for the patience you had in caring for this orchid, the flowers can continue for a very long period.
Roots
The roots of Angraecum Didieri are healthy but prone to drying out. To prevent them from drying out, keep the humidity level high. To keep the roots hydrated and healthy, keep the soil mixture airy. Dehydrated roots are gray and turn brown when dead while healthy roots are brilliant green in hue.
How to Care Angraecum Didieri Orchid
Cultural knowledge should only be used as a guideline and should be customized to your own needs. You will need to consider several other elements, like your geographical location, where you grow your plants, how much time you have to commit to caring for them, and many others. Then you can choose the cultural practices that work best for you and your plants.
Basic requirements for light
Bright, indirect light is necessary for Angraecum Didieri to blossom. If you can give it the ideal amount of light, it grows nicely both inside and outside. It’s okay to expose leaves to direct sunlight as long as they don’t burn.
The plant can grow well even with slightly warmer leaves as long as they are not sunburned. Avoid planting it in the direct noon sun, while it can handle morning and evening sunshine with ease.
Water Needs
Angraecum Didieri requires frequent watering in the summer, anywhere from once a week to twice a week depending on the climate where you live. In order to keep the plant roots from scorching throughout the summer, keep the soil mixture moist but not constantly soggy. In the winter, water sparingly and maintain a barely damp soil. Increase the frequency of watering as the temperature rises and vice versa.
Angraecum Didieri’s leaves make it vulnerable to crown rot. The plant will undoubtedly suffer if you water it from the top of the leaves and the extra water remains there for a long time. In order to avoid damaging your plant, always water it from below the leaves, not from the top. To keep the plant healthy, ensure a nice airflow around it and water it frequently. In order to prevent the problem of rotting roots, keep a fan in your setup.
Soil
These orchids can be grown in pots and containers using bark chips and a small amount of perlite. They can also be grown using only charcoal because they require strong air circulation around the roots.
You may cultivate these plants well in hanging baskets. However, if the air is too dry where you live in the summer, be ready to water them every day. Although mounted orchids require frequent watering, you may also mount them on tree fern or cork. In the summer, you must mist and spray them numerous times every day.
To keep the roots of potted orchids moist, sprinkle sphagnum moss on top of the soil mixture. Some individuals advise growing this orchid only on lava rocks. You are free to select your soil media based on what is available and the local climate.
Temperature
Temperatures between warm and moderate are preferred by Angraecum Didieri. Some people believe that it favors dry, chilly environments. When the weather is moderate, neither too hot nor too cold, blossoming is at its peak. If the winters are too severe where you live, think about moving your plant indoors to a warmer location.
It can withstand temperatures as high as 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 to 70 degrees at night in the summer. To encourage blooming, the nighttime temperature must be substantially lower than the daytime temperature.
Humidity
The ideal humidity range for Angraecum Didieri is between 50 and 60 percent. Reduced humidity prevents new development. By misting and spraying the plant in the summer, try to keep it over 50%. To keep the plant humid, place a humidifier or humidity tray nearby. When the humidity is low, the leaves become yellow.
Fertilizer
During the busy growing season from spring to late summer, fertilize your orchid once every 7 to 10 days with a well-balanced liquid fertilizer. The growth of the plant is well-served by fertilizers that are high in calcium, magnesium, nitrogen, and potassium.
Winter fertilizer should be reduced or avoided since plants benefit from a brief period of rest. Employ a phosphorus-rich fertilizer later in the fall and a nitrogen-rich one at the start of the growing season.
Every three weeks or so, give your plant a thorough clean with fresh water to prevent salt accumulation from fertilizing. The roots of a plant can be burned by salt buildup, which can ultimately destroy it. A monthly wash of the plant aids in warding off undesired insects and pests. To prevent salt accumulation, you can alternatively use RO water and seaweed solution.
Repotting
The roots of Angraecum Didieri detest being disturbed. Only repot it if it has outgrown the old pot after two to three years. After being repotted, the plant could not blossom for an additional year or two. So, only repot the plant when necessary. Choose a container that can accommodate future expansion for many years. The spring season is the best time to do it.
Repot the plant whenever it outgrows the container or the soil mixture becomes too compact from breakdown. Without removing the soil media, lift the plant out of the pot. Keep the plant in the larger pot and prepare a fresh soil mixture of your choosing for it. Keep the plant dry for a few days. During the next few days, keep it in a shady spot while the plant adjusts to its new surroundings. You can change it to brighter lighting later.
Rest time
Wintertime relaxation is not necessary for Angraecum didieri. The orchid is transplanted and kept absolutely dry for a while after the peduncles have been cut off after flowering, if necessary. This is required to acclimate the plant and stop the transplanted roots from decaying.
Conclusion
Didieri Angraecum Strong orchid As soon as the sun sets, Angraecum Didieri has a beautiful fragrance. If given the correct growing conditions, it can be a wonderful addition to the plant collection.
Although it grows slowly, it will repay your perseverance with stunning blossoms. We have compiled all the important considerations you should have before cultivating this beauty.
- Madagascar is home to the tiny, fragrant Angraecum Didieri orchid.
- It is a fantastic option for balcony gardens because it does not grow too large.
- Although it can bloom all year long, this is when it happens the most.
- Keep it in a bright area with sunlight that has been filtered by a curtain.
- Keep in mind to water the orchids when their soil mixture dries out and to maintain the soil mixture moist.
- Maintain good air circulation and water only when necessary because the lower portion of the plant, particularly its roots, is susceptible to rot.
- It prefers mild to moderate temperatures. In sweltering weather, bring the plant inside.
- This orchid can only be grown with charcoal. It does not necessarily require the typical orchid mixture of perlite and bark chips.
- To keep the plant happy, keep the humidity levels above 50%.
- Throughout the growing season, treat the orchid once a week using a liquid fertilizer that is rich in vital ingredients.
- Angraecum Didieri dislikes repeated repotting and soil mixture changes. When the soil mixture gets too dense and compact or the plant outgrows the pot, repot the plant.
- We hope you will get one of them for yourself and try cultivating them now that you are familiar with this attractive and robust orchid.
