AboutOrchids

Mysta-what? With a name bigger than its tiny white flowers, this mini orchid doesn’t look tough. However, looks can be deceiving. Despite its delicate facade, this species survives attached to thorny Acacia trees in the heat of South Africa’s savannas, where few other orchids can live. It can also handle light winter frosts. This toughness helps to make it one of South Africa’s most common orchids.

Each crystal white Mystacidium flower features a long nectar spur, and emits a sweet jasmine scent from dusk into evening. Yellow pollen masses provide the only spot of color in the middle of each bloom. Flowers can last for weeks over spring or summer.

To pronounce Mystacidium, say “mis-tah-SID-ee-um”. To grow Mystacidiums, give them a warm, muggy summer and a cool, dry winter. During summer, I water mine regularly, but in winter, it’s happy with just a daily misting. They enjoy some morning sun, but need shade for most of the day. Like their Vanda and Angraecum relatives, Mystacidiums prefer to grow mounted, not potted. This also serves to keep their thick roots in view, the easier to enjoy their unusual, linear white spot patterns.

Besides growing on Acacias and other succulent trees, these orchids can be weeds in South African citrus farms. As air plants, they don’t harm the trees, but masses of mini Mystacidiums can coat orange tree branches and trunks. Citrus farmers may be the only ones who don’t enjoy the sweet scent of these tough little orchids.

Explore posts in the same categories: Dormancy, Fragrant Orchids, Growing, Mini Orchids, Photos, Warm Growers

This entry was posted on Monday, July 9th, 2012 at 8:23 pm and is filed under Dormancy, Fragrant Orchids, Growing, Mini Orchids, Photos, Warm Growers.

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