Tuesday, October 18, 2011

PLEIONE

This is a small genus of about mostly semi-alpine minitature orchids that are related to Coelogyne. The species occur at high altitudes in a wide variety of mountainous habitats from Nepal to China. They mostly grow in the ground or on mossy limbs of trees or fallen rotting logs. One or two deciduous oval-shaped leaves grow from a bulblike stem, known as a pseudobulb. The large and showy flowers are borne on short stems, appearing mostly in spring, through they can appear at vaious times of the year. The white, cream, purple and pale pink flowers are intriguingly shaped with an unusual frilled lower lip surrounded by 5 straplike petals.


CULTIVATION


These plants are easy to grow in mild cool climates with protection from the winter wet. They are usually grown in pots in rich well-drained orchid potting mix and like part-shade. Propagate by division.


Top Tip


Pleione plants are relatively easy to grow and so are ideal for beginners or children. They can be kept in a greenhouse or on a cool windiosill.

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