Anagraecum Didieri culture?

[TundraKev]

best wood mounted

[OrchidTraci]

best wood mounted

does it need sphag on the mount ?

[Sue]

I wound one tha . . .

Man. I got distracted halfway through that sentence and now I don't know what I was saying. I've been hitting the cold meds.

Anyway. I found this:

Description of Angraecum didieri : A minature species from Madagascar. The small plants require a small pot or basket with a well drained media. An intermediate grower, these like other Angraecoids must have good air movement as they are intolerant of wet conditions.
Found as an epiphyte from 1500 m in the central mountain areas of Madagascar down to the coastal areas. Best grown on a slab or basket but can also be grown in a shallow pot.

[TundraKev]

Sorry Traci, hope I didn't come across as a jerk.

I'm not really sure. I know a lot of people do put a small pad of sphag on the mount just to get the plant started. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

I've talked to other folks about some of these plants and everyone seems to agree that if the recommendaton is to mount them, you really should mount them. Sometimes people are successful growing them in pots, put the casualties seem to outweight the successes. Maybe this one is different.

[LJA]

Traci, just enough sphag to give the roots some cushion--not so much that it keeps them wet for any length of time.

[OrchidTraci]

Sorry Traci, hope I didn't come across as a jerk.

I'm not really sure. I know a lot of people do put a small pad of sphag on the mount just to get the plant started. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt.

I've talked to other folks about some of these plants and everyone seems to agree that if the recommendaton is to mount them, you really should mount them. Sometimes people are successful growing them in pots, put the casualties seem to outweight the successes. Maybe this one is different.

You didn't come off as a jerk, so don't worry. I'm going to mount it. I have the perfect cork for it.

[mrBreeze]

As a general rule, any Angraecoid that has thick warty roots (like didieri) prefers, if not, requires, mounting. In a pot the roots really tend to rot and usually a plant will send out aerial roots...far away from the pot anyway.

It lives in Madagascar at elevations of about 2000-5000 feet, so intermediate temps are best. It wants a cooler and drier winter with much less water but still good humidity.

One 'trick' that is true for Aerangis and i suspect is true for Angraecums (and maybe all orchids that want a rest period) is to keep an eye on the root tips. If there is a nice long green/brown/reddish growing tip, the plant is in active growth (regardless of what leaves are doing). If the root tip gets covered by velemen extending down over it, the plant is in a rest period and wants less water.
yay for Angs!!!
MB

[JB_Orchidguy]

Thanks for the advise MrBreeze about the root tips. I haven't noticed that yet. I did notice something about roots though. Correct me if I am wrong, but maybe others have noticed it too. I have noticed that if your watering at the correct time the roots will turn green when soaking up water. If the plant didnt need to be watered then it will stay white. Is it me or have others noticed that too??

[OrchidTraci]

As a general rule, any Angraecoid that has thick warty roots (like didieri) prefers, if not, requires, mounting. In a pot the roots really tend to rot and usually a plant will send out aerial roots...far away from the pot anyway.

It lives in Madagascar at elevations of about 2000-5000 feet, so intermediate temps are best. It wants a cooler and drier winter with much less water but still good humidity.

One 'trick' that is true for Aerangis and i suspect is true for Angraecums (and maybe all orchids that want a rest period) is to keep an eye on the root tips. If there is a nice long green/brown/reddish growing tip, the plant is in active growth (regardless of what leaves are doing). If the root tip gets covered by velemen extending down over it, the plant is in a rest period and wants less water.
yay for Angs!!!MB

Thanks for the info. I have mounted it and it does have an active green root tip so it is growing now. I've been wanting an Ang for a while, but staved off making any purchases over the winter. I'm very happy with it.