Family: Orchidaceae

This genus comprises about 200 known species, many of which are indigenous to Madagascar. Some of these have very small flowers and are not of great horticultural significance. The remainder are native to tropical Africa and the Seychelles.

Species

A. eburneum (Synonym: A. superbum) is a very popular species which can grow to 1.8 m (6 ft) in height. It has greenish white flowers which are 7-10 cm (3-4 in) across, with a spur of about the same length. The lip is white.

A. eichlerianurn, a climbing species, has yellowish green or brownish green flowers, around 7 cm (3 in) across, during spring and summer. The spur measures about 12 cm (5 in) in length.

A. infundibulare is very similar to A. eichlerianum, but the flowers appear during autumn and winter.

A. sesquipedale is a slow-growing species to around 90 cm (36 in). To obtain maximum growth, ensure that there is plenty of light, particularly during the growing period. It is important to encourage leaf growth as the number of flower shoots produced is the same as the number of leaves grown each spring or summer. This orchid has strap-like leaves, white, waxy, star-shaped, winter flowers 12 cm (5 in) across, and a very long spur.

Cultivation

Angraecum requires warm glasshouse conditions, heated in winter to at least 15°C (59°F), preferably slightly higher. These plants need high humidity, shade, plenty of water and open compost, with large pieces of charcoal, broken pots and fir bark, to allow water to drain away and to provide good aeration to the roots. The plants should be disturbed as little as possible. The climbing types can be fixed to a tree fern into which the roots will enter. As the upper roots feed the plant, it is necessary to apply liquid fertilizer to them. However, the accumulation of fertilizer salts in the tree fern fiber will kill orchids, so thoroughly wash out any excess salts before adding more fertilizer. The species of Angraecum usually produce small plants at the base of the stem. These can be grown on, producing specimen plants, or they can be removed when roots have developed and planted out to increase stock.

Climate

Angraecum is native to wet tropical Climates.