Angraecum leonis

Also known as: Leon's Angraecum or Aeranthes leonii Angraecum leonis h.v. Comoro Angraecum leonis h.v. virens Angraecum leonis h.v. Madagascar Angraecum humboltii Angraecum humblotii in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Madagascar

General Information

Leon's Angraecum is a medium sized monopodial hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Madagascar. It is named after the Leon Humblot - French Orchid Collector in Madagascar and the Comoros Islands in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Monopodial. Grows to 15-20cm. Each new growth has numerous thick leaves that grow to 1.5-15cm long

Flowers

Numerous long lasting, fragrant blossoms appear during Winter

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Blooming Season

• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark

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.

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 5mm to 264mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 65% to 83%, highest in August and lowest in January. Temperature ranges from 21C to 32C, highest in June (24C to 32C) and lowest in January (21C to 29C).

Watering

Keep moisture levels up during hot weather as the plant is prone to dehydration

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 year round. Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a low Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser year round.

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,