Growing Angraecum They are quite varied vegetatively and florally and are adapted to dry tropical woodland habitat and have quite fleshy leaves as a consequence. Most are epiphytes, but a few are lithophytes. Tropical Africa and Madagascar contain the majority of the genus with outlying species in southeast Asia. But these orchids can also be found on the Comoros, the Seychelles, and the Mascarenes. They occur between sea level and 2,000 m in humid regions. The long-lasting flowers are racemose and grow from the leaf axils. They are mostly white, but a few are yellow, green or ochre. They all have a long spur at the back of the labellum (lip).
Cultivation Light Lighting needs vary; most like intermediate lighting,but some do well with high lighting similar to Cattleya or Vanda. Because Angraecum are epiphytic orchids and grow high up in trees where they receive plenty of light, they should be given the maximum light available which should be diffused to prevent scorching of the leaves which are the food store for the plant.
Temperature Warm Growing-15 - 28 C (60 - 82F). The species come from enough different habitats and altitudes that there is some variation in temperature requirements, but most do best at intermediate temperatures, in the lower 70's Fahrenheit during the day (21-25C), and cooling by 10-15°F (6-8C) at night.
Water & Humidity Mature plants must dry out between watering. Seedlings need more constant moisture. Water these orchids just as their potting mix dries out, or as it approaches dryness when the plant is in bloom. They like to dry out relatively quickly, so use a well-drained mix that doesn't retain too much moisture; medium or coarse fir bark works well. Some people use a more moisture-retaining medium such as sphagnum moss, but in a clay pot.
Potting Angraecum are naturally epiphytic and can be grown either in a pot, basket or mounted on to bark. If planted in pots then large open grade compost or bark with the addition of 1/4 sphagnum peat should be used to allow swift drainage whilst holding moisture, in this case you should re-pot the plants every year or every other year depending on it's size, this should be undertaken in spring as growth re starts. If grown in baskets or on bark then re planting can be left for two to three years or until they become unmanageable before being re planted. Medium or coarse fir bark works well. Some people use a more moisture-retaining medium such as sphagnum moss, but in a clay pot.
General tips for Angraecum orchids care.
Angraecum orchids are epiphytes and grow well in a pot or mounted on bark and extremely well in hanging baskets. Plants in pots should be grown in well-drained potting medium, such as tree fern fibers for smaller plants, and sphagnum moss or medium fir bark for medium to large plants. Place these plants in bright light, but diffuse it to protect the leaves from burn spots. The leaves provide food for the plant, so they need to be kept healthy.
Unlike many orchids, Angraecum orchids do not produce pseudobulbs. Instead the flowers grow from the leaf axils. They are produced in clusters of star-shaped blossoms and are usually white, but can be yellow or green. Some plants produce large, showy blossoms, but most blooms are small to miniature. Many of these orchids also possess a wonderful fragrance. All Angraecum orchids possess the distinctive long spur (comet’s tail) at the back of the lip.