About
Calanthe discolor is a terrestrial orchid characterized by its elongated, evergreen or semi-evergreen foliage that can reach lengths of 30 cm. In the spring, it bears clusters of as many as 10 flowers, which display a combination of brown and white, often tinged with green or soft pink hues.
About the genus
Calanthe orchids can be classified as evergreen, semi-evergreen, or deciduous, and they can grow either in the ground or as epiphytes. These plants feature corm-like pseudobulbs and clusters of pleated leaves that emerge from the base. During spring, summer, or winter, they produce loose racemes of prominent flowers, characterized by their three-lobed lips, which rise on upright stems.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial, Conservatory Greenhouse
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens
- Native to
- Japan, Korea, China
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Under glass grow in terrestrial orchid compost in bright, filtered light with high humidity. Outdoors grow in coarse, well-drained, humus-rich soil in a sheltered site in partial shade
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by division or cuttings
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs, orchid scale insect, glasshouse red spider mite and aphids under glass; outdoors protect from slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free