Pleione formosana

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windowsill orchid

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windowsill orchid RHS
windowsill orchid Dorling Kindersley 2003
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A deciduous perennial to 15cm in height, with globose pseudobulbs, each bearing a single lance-shaped leaf and solitary pale or rose-pink flowers 8cm in width, the lip blotched with red or brown

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
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
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE China N & C Taiwan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in mid-spring. Grow in sharply drained, moderately fertile, leafy, humus-rich soil in a sheltered spot in partial shade. In cold areas, protect from severe weather and winter wet. Can be grown in a shallow container indoors in a cool place. Only water when new growth appears

Propagation

Propagate by division of pseudobulbs

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Aphids, glasshouse red spider mite, slugs and mealybugs may be a problem

Diseases

Generally disease-free