Family: Orchidaceae

Calanthe orchids are distributed widely in the tropical and temperate areas of Asia, Polynesia and Madagascar. There is also one species in Australia. Many hybrids and cultivars have been produced. These plants may be terrestrial or epiphytic, deciduous or evergreen. The broad, ribbed leaves grow to 1 m (3 ft) long. Drooping sprays of spurred blooms appear on long, upright stems in winter, spring or summer in colours ranging from lavender through to rose and white.

Species

C. triplicata, the Australian species, has evergreen, broad, ribbed leaves to 90 cm (36 in) and tall spikes of pure white flowers in winter.

C. veitchii grows to 1 m (3 ft), with pink flowers produced during winter. There are numerous cultivars of this hybrid.

C. vestita, a deciduous species, has white flowers with a red or orange eye.

Cultivation

These orchids are grown in a cool or warm greenhouse or conservatory depending on their origins. Use a special orchid compost, obtainable from orchid growers. They like maximum light and high humidity. Water normally and freely in summer. The evergreens are kept only slightly moist in winter but the deciduous species are kept dry when they are dormant. Plants are potted on annually in spring and can be propagated by separating the older pseudobulbs from the main plant.

Climate

Zone 10.