Aerides odorata

Also known as: The Fragrant Aerides or Orxera cornuta Aerides odorata h.f. semialba Aerides odorata h.v. odorata Aerides odorata h.v. calayana Polytoma odorifera Aerides odorata h.f. alba Aerides odorata h.f. purpurascens Epidendrum odoratum Epidendrum aerides Aerides micholitzii Aerides odorata h.v. bicuspidata Aerides odorata h.v. lawrenceae Aerides odorata h.v. quinquevulnera Aerides reichenbachii var. cochinchinensis Aerides odorata var. pallida Aerides odorata var. micholitzii Aerides odorata var. annamensis Aerides ballantiniana Aeridium odorum Aerides dayana Aerides wilsoniana Aerides odorata var. demidovii Aerides jucunda Aerides odorata f. immaculata Aerides suaveolens var. virens Aerides suaveolens Aerides nobilis Aerides odorata var. birmanica Aerides odorata var. eburnea Aerides odoratum Aerides cornuta Aerides flavida Aerides suavissima var. ballantiniana Aerides virens Aerides odorata var. major Aerides reichenbachii Aerides rohaniana Aerides suavissima Aerides virens var. ellisii Limodorum latifolium in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: India Indonesia Philippines Thailand

General Information

The Fragrant Aerides is a monopodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand.

Plant Description

Monopodial. Grows to 100-150cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 4-25cm long

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear during Summer and Autumn

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Summer

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

These orchids grow in cool climates, at low altitudes, in cool plains, forests or coastal scrub.

They are forgiving of humidity variances as long as temperatures are kept on the cool side. They can do well outdoors in the garden in cool and temperate areas, though it is important that they are protected from warm dry winds. They can enjoy morning sun especially in winter but will need protection from the hot sun in the afternoon and during summer. With some acclimatisation they may be able to receive more sun.

 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 175mm to 688mm per day, heaviest in January and lightest in July. Humidity ranges from 82% to 89%, highest in January and lowest in July. Temperature ranges from 17C to 28C, highest in August (18C to 28C) and lowest in January (17C to 26C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Tree trunks, Fern slabs or Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.