Aerangis

There are about 50 species in this natural genus of monopodial orchids, which hail from Africa and Madagascar. The plants produce a fan-like assemblage of semirigid leaves that grow from a central rhizome. Most of the species resemble the phalaenopsis in habit, but their leaves are thicker.

The flowers, clustered on the spike, have a heavy, waxy texture and are strongly coloured. The plants bloom mostly during the summer. Temperature: Intermediate-growing, with a minimum winter night temperature of 13C (55F).

Grow in hanging, open, slatted baskets in a coarse bark compost (growing medium), in good light all year round. Commence watering immediately new growth is seen, usually in the spring. During the growing season, water and apply feed at every other watering.

Spray the foliage and maintain a good humidity. Allow the plants to rest when dormant during the winter. Height: 30cm (12in). Acineta superba These robust orchids from South America need to grow in baskets to enable their downward-growing flower spikes to hang freely. The fragrant flowers, which appear in spring and summer, are cupped, with the smaller petals standing close to the lip.

Grow in pots or open slatted baskets of bark-based compost (growing medium). They require shady conditions for most of the year, and need to be watered more in the summer and less in the winter. Feed can be applied while they are growing. The foliage of zygopetalums is easily marked if water rests on the surface for too long. For this reason they are better not sprayed on a regular basis with water, but watered only through the roots. Height: 30-45cm (12-18in).

Grow in a fine bark compost (growing medium) in slatted baskets in good light. Small species can also be mounted on bark. Keep them moist all year round and mist them regularly to maintain humidity. Feed lightly at every second watering. Leave plants undisturbed, but add a small amount of compost (growing medium) to the base of the plant from time to time. If on bark, add a wad of fibre or moss around the base. Height is From 15cm (6in). Aerangis luteo alba var. rhodostricta This is an attractive dwarf species from parts of Africa, where it grows on twigs in dry, exposed areas. The plant is only a few inches high, and the white flowers, which appear in winter, have an unusually bright red column and are large in comparison