Angraecum sororium

Also known as: The Closely Related Angraecum in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Madagascar

General Information

The Closely Related Angraecum is a monopodial cool to warm growing lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Madagascar. The name refers to it's similarity to A sesquipedale.

Plant Description

Monopodial. Grows to 80cm. Each new growth has numerous leathery rigid leaves that grow to 3-30cm long

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Fine
• Bark
• Charcoal
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite
• Sand

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.

Climate

Grows at 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 6C to 24C, highest in May (13C to 24C) and lowest in January (6C to 17C).

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.

Use balanced fertiliser year round. 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

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly Repotting is best done annually.