mrhappyrotter
Grand Chupacabra
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.
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.
