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Conservatory GreenhouseHouseplants

Pterostylis curta

blunt greenhood

A terrestrial orchid to 30cm tall with basal rosettes of oval dark-green leaves to 10cm long, 2-6 per plant. Single, nodding flowers in spring, up to 3.5cm tall, are green with a brown lip and appear on green spikes which can reach a maximum length of 30cm

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus: Pterostylis are terrestrial orchids with tubers producing small rosettes of round to linear leaves. Solitary, hood-shaped green and brown flowers are borne on spikes from each rosette
Name status: Correct
Plant range: New Caledonia, Austr.

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in terrestrial orchid compost in full light, with shade from hot sun and night temperatures between 8 and 10°C; water sparingly only once the growth point emerges, increase watering as leaves develop and use orchid fertiliser when in full growth. Reduce watering when leaves start to yellow and dormancy starts, dormancy lasts 2-3 months when temperatures should be kept at 20-25°C with occasional misting only. Repot during the dormant period.

Propagation

Increase by separating and potting on new tubers during dormancy

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required, remove spent flower spikes as necessary

Pests

Aphids and slugs may be a problem

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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