Aerides multiflora

Aerides multiflora is a fragrant, warm- to cool-growing epiphytic orchid native to South and Southeast Asia, known for its cascading spikes of waxy, pink-and-white flowers.

🌿 Botanical Overview
Scientific name: Aerides multiflora
Common name: Multi-flowered Aerides
Synonyms: Aerides affinis, Aerides godefroyana, Aerides lobbii
Family: Orchidaceae
Section: Fieldingia

🌏 Native Habitat
Found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and the Andaman Islands
Grows in semi-deciduous to deciduous lowland tropical and subtropical forests
Elevation range: sea level to 1100 m
Typically epiphytic, occasionally lithophytic

🌸 Morphology & Blooming
Growth habit: Monopodial with a stout, leafy stem
Leaves: Ligulate, deeply channelled, keeled, and bilobed at the apex
Inflorescence: Pendulous, up to 30 cm long, rarely branched
Flower count: Up to 50 per spike
Flower size: ~2–2.5 cm across
Colour: White to pale pink with deeper pink markings Fragrance: Sweet and strong
Blooming season: Spring to early summer, often triggered by the onset of the rainy season following a dry rest

Aerides multiflora should thrive outdoors with the right care:
Light: Bright filtered light or partial sun; avoid harsh midday exposure
Temperature: Ideal range 18–32°C; tolerates warmer nights
Humidity: 60–80% with good air movement
Watering: During active growth: water daily or every other day
In dry season (late winter): reduce watering to induce blooming
Fertilizer: Balanced orchid fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20) weekly during growth
Mounting: Best grown in baskets or mounted on cork/fern slabs for airflow
Potting medium: If potted, use coarse bark or charcoal for drainage

This species is highly fragrant and a favourite among Vanda alliance growers.
It hybridizes well with other Aerides and Rhynchostylis species.
Rare in cultivation compared to Aerides odorata or A. lawrenceae, but occasionally available from specialty nurseries.