Growing Angraecum distichum

I love looking at this orchid; I so admire Angraecum distichum‘s shape and form, this plant’s simple, leafy stems are a thing of beauty. I love to see young and old Angraecum distichum specimens; whatever the plant’s size, I find Angraecum distichum utterly mesmerising!

A closer look at one of my Angraecum distichum specimens, as pictured on the 22nd October 2018.

Angraecum distichum is a miniature to small sized epiphytic orchid species. Angraecum distichum plants can be found growing upon a range of tall trees in a variety of different environments including: rainforests, humid forests, deciduous forests, and plantations. Angraecum distichum has a large range, this miniature orchid can be found growing in Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Togo, Uganda, Zaire, the Ivory Coast, and quite a number of other locations across tropical Africa. As Angraecum distichum plants age and mature they take on a naturally tufted habit with arching leaf growths that are peppered with pure snowy white blooms.

Angraecum distichum, as pictured on the 22nd October 2018.

I admire the leaves, form, and flowers of Angraecum distichum. This Angraecum distichum specimen is pictured on the 18th October 2018.

I have found Angraecum disticum to be a more versatile orchid species than you might expect. I have always read that Angraecum distichum grows best in very deep shade, but I have found that my plants flourish when they’re grown in both shaded locations and partially shaded sites, as long as intense, direct light is avoided, my plants have always grown well. Angraecum distichum plants are also easy going about the temperatures they will succeed in, this orchid species thrives in cool to intermediate, to warm conditions.

Here’s a closer look at an Angraecum distichum flower bud, as pictured on the 18th October 2018.

This Angraecum distichum inflorecence is pictured just as the flower begins to open, as pictured on the 18th October 2018.

A closer look at Angraecum distichum, as pictured on the 22nd October 2018.

I find that my Angraecum distichum plants thrive in a very humid environment. I grow my Angraecum distichum plants mounted onto pieces of cork bark or cork tile, but you could grow this orchid in a container filled with a speciality orchid compost, which is comprised of large bark pieces if you prefer. However, if you opt to grow your Angraecum distichum plant in a pot, ensure that your pot has a number of holes at the bottom, to allow your water to flow straight through the pot – this plant doesn’t want to sit in water.

Angraecum distichum is a floriferous, free flowering orchid species, as pictured on the 22nd October 2018.

Pot grown Angraecum distichum plants require a little less watering than mounted plants. I favour watering or misting plants in the early morning, to allow the plants to dry out before nightfall. My Angraecum distichum plants are all grown mounted on cork. I mist my plants with rain water, between three and five times a week.

Angraecum distichum inflorescences remind me of dove of peace in flight or butterflies, as pictured on the 22nd October 2018.

Angraecum distichum produces tiny, pure white inflorescences. To me, this orchid’s blooms resemble rather beautiful white doves in flight or white butterflies, they’re very pretty. Angraecum distichum is a free flowering orchid, in the evening, this species’ diminutive flowers produce a very light scent, which reminds me of a watered down jasmine scent, it is very delicate perfume, which you can only discover during a close encounter.

Angraecum distichum produces such interesting flattened leaves. If you study the plant, you’ll notice that Angraecum distichum roots are produced between many of this plant’s leaves, all the way along the stems, from low down at the base of the plant, to areas of new growth, along the plant’s growing tips.

Angraecum distichum inflorescences remind me of little doves in flight, as pictured on the 22nd October 2018.

In cultivation, Angraecum distichum plants flower throughout the year. In this orchid species’ natural environment there will usually be a lull, or short break in flowering, during the period from November to February.

Angraecum distichum’s inflorescences have a crystalline quality, as pictured on the 18th October 2018.

My Angraecum distichum plants are grown inside my home, where the minimum temperature doesn’t usually drop below 16C (60F). I would recommend that Angraecum distichum plants are kept at temperatures that will never drop lower than 12C (53F) during the chilliest part of the coldest winter night.

Angraecum distichum originates from West, East and Central Africa.

Angraecum distichum in bloom. This photograph shows an immature bud, a more developed flower bud, a bud pictured as it begins to open, alongside two open flowers, as pictured on the 18th October 2018.

Other articles that may interest you…………..

To see the first report of my White Orchid Trial, please click here.

To see a planting list of orchids, ferns and other terrarium plants, please click here.

To see how my Rainforest Terrarium was designed and constructed, please click here.

To see my step-by-step guide on how to plant a terrarium or bottle garden, please click here.

To see how my Orchidarium was built, please click here.

To see how I track the temperature, light, and humidity inside my terrariums, greenhouse, garden and inside my home, please click here.

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