Small Madagascan Orchids for Windows, Under Lights and Other Small Places

FRED HILLERMAN
EVERYBODY 'S SAYING,

"Gone are the days when . . ." or "The energy crunch has got us," and the worrywarts are wringing their hands. But let us not despair so easily many good things are yet to be. Perhaps more staying-at-home will sharpen our skills to self-entertain and less spectacular pursuits may surprise us with their satisfactions. Growing orchids is certainly a "home-centered" activity: creative, continuing, yet ever-changing. And we really don't need large (energy-consuming) greenhouses. With a few skills and some understanding, one can grow orchids in ordinary homes, under lights, near windows, even in basements. A small corner can supply you with a succession of delightful flowers and fragrances, perhaps not with the huge, spectacular flowers of a Cattleya Bob Betts or an Angraecum sesquipedale, but certainly with very enjoyable flowers.

All photography: Fred Hillerman Aerangis fastuosa

Any home orchid collection should contain a number of genera, and the number of genera and the variety possible in small-plant-type species is almost endless. Of course, every home should contain a few of the many available angraecoids; there are many minis and semi-mini's to choose from. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief list of plants that one could choose from. All are intermediate growers and have done well in houses and under lights. In their native habitat they survive long, dry spells, are found growing in a variety of light intensities and generally are not fussy. The genus Aerangis provides us with many small-plant species. Most have long spikes and many smaller but highly-scented, white flowers; most have quite handsome foliage. Aerangis fastuosa, Aergs. citrata and Aergs. stylosa are popular favorites, but tiny Aergs. curnowiana is also very

attractive. Its variegated leaves and two comparatively large flowers make it desirable. Other possible aerangis are Aergs. decaryana, Aergs. modesta and Aergs. fuscata. Aeranthes is a genus that gives us green flowers, usually suspended on a long, thread-like inflorescence. While many species are medium-sized (like cattleyas), there are many small-sized species. Aeranthes filipes gives us a six-inch plant that flowers off the same inflorescence for as long as two years often flowering three to six times per year. While Aeranthes neoperrieri is larger (up to nine inches high), it will often flower every six to eight weeks, each of several spikes producing a nice, round, two-inch, green flower that lasts for a month then folds to make way for the oncoming bud. There are numerous, really mini species in this genus but, unfortunately, these are single-plant imports and remain as yet unidentified.

Aerangis citrata

The angraecums furnish us with numerous, showy, small species. Unfortunately many are still unclassified; others are for us slowly growing in flask; and yet others, thankfully, are available. Angraecum humberti is a charming, six-inch-size plant that produces ten-inch spikes carrying five to seven four-inch flowers. It is easy to grow and basal keikis flower freely to produce many spikes of flowers from a very small space. Angraecum teretifolium will probably never outgrow a three- or four-inch pot, and eventually gives quite a display of birdlike flowers. It likes to grow over the sides to become a graceful, pendent plant. Angraecum pseudofilicornu is not quite so "grassy" but is pendent and yields many superior, white-lipped flowers with amber petals. Angraecum leonis is a well-known old-timer and it well qualifies as a

Aerangis stylosa Anita, AM/AOS (80pts.) grown by Miskimens Orchids awarded in 1978.

small-plant type. A well-grown specimen becoming eight to ten inches wide by eight inches high, Angcm. leonis is truly one of the best of the angraecums. There are many others such as Angcm. equitans, Angcm. rutenbergianum, Angcm. elephantium, etc., that measure less than six inches high and wide. As luck would have it these and others are rarely imported so we must await those slow-growing flasks. Also on hand are a number of "XX species" (XX meaning unclassified) that eventually will surely earn for themselves a place among the small-type species. Up to now over 12 "unknowns" (species of Angraecum) have shown excellent flowers while maintaining small-plant sizes. Jumellea pandurata is an excellent representative of a small-size species it seldom outgrows a four-inch pot. It clumps and attains a height of three to four inches. Neobathiea filicornu is at home in the home, and its "first green, then
Angraecum leonis Arps Alabaster, AM/AOS (82pts.) grown by Gerald K. Arp. Awarded in 1989.

Angraecum elephantinum Live Oak, CHM/AOS (81pts.) grown by Ryan Kowalczyk. Awarded in 2001 and photographed by Lewis Ellsworth

white, then yellow" phases with its flowers gives us a welcome change from the usual white. It is at home in a three-inch pot. There are also some interesting hybrids coming along. Angranthes (Angraecum X Aeranthes) seem to be a productive combination that unites the frequent-blooming characteristic of Aeranthes with the white of Angraecum. So far Angranthes Grandalena (Aeranthes grandiflora X Angraecum magdalenae) has stayed relatively small (plant-wise) and yet has consistently flowered three (sometimes four) times per year, giving four- to six-inch, white, scented flowers. Angranthes Grandivig (Aerth. Angraecum elephantinum Live Oak, grandiflora X Angcm. CHM/AOS (81pts.) grown by Ryan viguieri), while not yet Kowalczyk. Awarded in 2001 and photographed by Lewis Ellsworth flowered, should give us another medium-small plant with spectacular yellowish to orange-brown flowers. Angranthes Christina (Aerth. neoperrieri X Angcm. rutenbergianum) is definitely taking on the very small size of Angcm. rutenbergianum. We hope it will inherit the free blooming quality of Aerth. neoperrieri. There are many other hybrids still in flasks designed to produce small-plant

types; eventually these will help to fill those little places with new and exciting things. So, let us not spend too much time bemoaning the loss of energy, nor the restraints on travel and runabout, but take a fresh look at new possibilities. Let us "think small" and go for big rewards. P.O. Box 1859, Grass Valley, California 95945.