Pecteilis radiata
A tuberous perennial orchid to around 40cm high, with slender, upright stems bearing 3-7 linear, grass-like green leaves to 10cm long. Flowers are white and distinctively shaped, with a lower petal divided into a central elongated lobe and two fringed outer lobes, often described as shaped like a bird in flight. Each stem produces 1-3 flowers, rarely up to 8, in summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
1–2 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Neutral, AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- S Russian Far East to Korea & Japan
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a free-draining orchid mix in a sunny position; water freely when in growth (ideally with rainwater) and sparingly over winter, misting rather than watering to keep just moist. Keep cool but frost free while dormant (1-10°C). Tubers will die after flowering but offsets are produced which will form the next year's plants; repot in spring, discarding any depleted tubers. See indoor orchid cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by division, separating new bulbs in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required; spent stems may be cut back or left to dry naturally
Pests
May be susceptible to fungus gnats, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free, though tubers will rot if too moist over winter
Get involved
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