Angraecum calceolus

Also known as: The Small Shoe Angraecum or Angraecum anocentrum Angraecum carpophorum Angraecum rhopaloceras Aeranthes calceola Angraecum calceolum Angraecum laggiarae Angraecum guillauminii Mystacidium carpophorum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Madagascar Mozambique

General Information

The Small Shoe Angraecum is a small monopodial cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Madagascar and Mozambique.

Plant Description

Monopodial. Grows to 0.2-0.3cm. Each new growth has numerous arching rigid, lance shaped leaves that grow to 1.5-22cm long

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

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.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 8mm to 300mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 67% to 82%, highest in August and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 12C to 31C, highest in May (19C to 31C) and lowest in January (12C to 23C).

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.

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. 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 Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.