We are delighted with the diversity of orchids on our Malvern International Orchid Show display this week. The orchids of Madagascar are represented by this magnificant cool growing species.

Angraecum magdalenae from the mountains of central Madagascar is one of our most rewarding orchid species, and this large plant that we have had since 1998, so it is a slow grower but gets better and better. The large (8cm) waxy, pristine white flowers are wonderfully fragrant and this year the plant has 14 flowers out together.

The plant’s natural habitat is in leaf litter amongst quartzite boulders but we find the species enjoys a mossy basket where its roots remain damp and cool. Most of our Angraecum species are warm growing but Angraecum magdalenae does best for us in Cool Asia (minimum 10C).

We are delighted to have thousands of seedlings of this species doing very well in our propagation lab and will have plants for sale in flask within the next few months. The flowers hold their nectar in long curved spurs suggesting pollination is by one of Madagascar’s large hawk moths.