Aerangis citrata

Aerangis citrata - Under 4" in size, loves warm shaded areas. Produces long pendant inflorescence with up to 30 blooms.

This small species bears multiple sprays of white or cream colored flowers with a lemon fragrance. Aerangis citrata is a charming Madagascan species with two ranked spikes of crystalline cream white flowers. When not in active growth, a drier rest is needed, which is probably relevant to all these dwarf monopodials. Close watch should be kept for insect attach, especially from mite. A teaspoon of wettable sulphur per litre of water, sprayed on the underside of the leaves will fix both mite and fungus attack.

This species differs slightly from its closest relatives by the color of the flowers -they are waxy and pale - yellow . It is a shade grower, does well on a treefern slab if kept damp but not wet, or in a small pot/basket in an open media.In cultivation and during the winter flowering season , the yellow fades considerably , as in the case of the specimen in the photograph .A citara has a long , thick stem up to 4in/10cm tall,bearing 6-10 egg-shapped leaves that are about 6 in /15 cm long and 1.2 in/3 cm wide.The ends of the leaves are , some what atypically,almost symmetrical, with a single point at the ends . A large number ( up to 30 )of smallish flowers grows on an overhanging spike that is up to 8 in /20 cm long. The waxy and pale -yellow to whitish flowers are embellished by a 1.2 in /3 cm long yellowish spur. The cultivation requirments are the same as with the other members of the genus .It blooms in early spring and it occurs in the wild madagaskar.

Synonyms

Aerobion citratum Sprgl. 1826; Angorchis citrata O. Ktze. 1891; *Angraecum citratum Thou 1822; Rhaphidorhynchus citratus Finet 1907