Angraecum Can Add Zest to Your Home Garden

A dash of color in our dull and drab existence can add fervor to life. Nothing can do this better than flowers, especially an orchid. The Angraecum is the genus of about 200 species of monopodial orchids that are evergreen along with being epiphytic; many more are on the way of being discovered in the rainforests of Madagascar and tropical Africa. One of these is found in Sri Lanka and three others are believed to have their genus in Japan and Philippines.

Description: They are quite varied and can be either a flower or a vegetable, growing naturally in dry woodlands, which gives them fleshy leaves. They grow from the axis of the leaf and are typically white but are also available in yellow, green and even ochre. They have a long spur at the back of their lip. The plants tend to grow upright and bear star-shaped white or green flowers which releases fragrance in the evening. They are mostly pollinated by moths, which are attracted by the flower’s color and fragrance. The fragrance that is released at night often reveals its location, even before it is spotted in the darkness.

Conditions for growth: They would grow best in moderately warm temperature or comparatively cooler winter temperature. The air around the Angraecum must be humid and the plants should be protected from direct exposure to sunlight. They also need a continuous stream of fresh air. The best way to grow them is in epiphytic mixture of orchid potting. They should be watered uniformly all though the year, although their frequency is reduced in winters. You must spray them once or twice every day. The Angraecum is not suitable for division and hence is not ideal for propagation. The robust species can however, surprise you by producing offsets, which are best separated once they have grown roots.

Requirements to grow them in the best way: Like every orchid, they need some extra care to grow. You have to be careful that they don’t catch fungal decay due to excessive dampness; therefore, the best option is to water them in the morning. Provide them with a temperature between 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 16 to 29 degrees Celsius. Although they grow best in bright light, they need indirect sunlight coming from the east. The best option for the soil is to use shredded fir bark or small-to-medium lava rock and the pot must have a disposal hole. Use plant food or fertilizers that are custom-made for orchids, such as green jungle forest foods. To hold the water and increase humidity, you need to put some pebbles or gravel in and around the drainage dish. Be sure to position the pot on the gravel and not on the water.

By adhering to all these points, you are all set to add a zesty, candy and floral scent to your living space that will have a direct impact on your life and your personal self.