About

This deciduous perennial to 15cm tall, with dark green pseudobulbs, each bearing a single lance-shaped leaf and 1 or 2 flowers with purple sepals and white lip spotted with orange-brown.

About the genus

Pleione are deciduous orchids with pseudobulbs each bearing one or two lance-shaped leaves and mostly solitary flowers to 8cm across, on short stems

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2

Plant details

Plant typeBulbs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitMatforming
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a shallow container filled with orchid compost, indoors in a cool place. Only water when new growth appears
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division of pseudobulbs
Pest resistanceAphids, glasshouse red spider mite, slugs and mealybugs may be a problem
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free