GROWING
AFRICAN / SOUTH AFRICAN SPECIES
In an
effort to promote the conservation of African and South African Orchid species
with orchid hobbyists, the ONT-Focus section will from now on concentrate on
these species in an effort to promote their cultivation.
Angraecum
sesquipedale Thou.
Also known as the Comet Orchid, the specific
epithet refers to "measuring a foot and a half", which can be reached
when measuring from the tip of the dorsal sepal to the tip of the spur!
Angraecum
sesquipedale (Photo: M. Wolter)
This plant was made famous by Charles Darwin when he predicted that in
Madagascar there would be found a very long-tongued moth, based on the very long
spur length.
The
fleshy, ivory white, starry flowers can be over 20 cm in diameter and have a
sweet scent in the evenings.
This large plant, which can attain a height of over 1 metre, occurs in the hot
coastal lowlands of Madagascar from Fort Dauphin in the south to Antalaha in the
north, usually epiphytically on the trunks of trees in slightly dappled shade.
Annual
precipitation is all year round and up to 3800 mm with almost constant warm
temperatures. Flowering is from June to November.
Cultivation: Mount on a strong log, or pot in coarse bark, and disturb as little
as possible as it is inclined to sulk. It likes lots of light and a generous
watering and
feeding regime. Ensure that drainage is excellent. Air movement and humidity
should be high. In colder areas make sure protected from low temperatures as
this causes the flowers to blacken.
Larger plants tend to sprawl if not kept in check, so make sure you have lots of
space. Luckily they flower from a small size, although they become more
floriferous as they get larger. In warmer areas they can make interesting garden
plants.
Not many hybrids have been made but the oldest and best known is A. Veitchii (1899), which has the large plant size of A.
eburneum and the large flowers of
A. sesquipedale. Another hybrid is A. Lemforde 'White Beauty' (A. magdalenae x A.
sesquipedale).
AUTHOR:
ROGER DIXON
E-mail:
alchemy@global.co.za
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