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Conservatory Greenhouse

Arundina graminifolia

A large, tropical orchid with a grass-like appearance, producing a clump of many thin stems up to 2m tall. Alternate leaves are lance-shaped and bamboo-like, 20cm long and 2cm wide. Up to ten pink or lilac flowers open one at the time, from the tips of the stems. Flowers are short-lasting, but the succession prolongs the time of flowering. Each flower measures 5-8cm in diameter

Synonyms

Arundina bambusifolia
Arundina speciosa
see moreArundina densa
Arundina chinensis

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or 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)

H1A

Botanical details

Family: Orchidaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright, Tufted, Clump forming
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Himalaya, W China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a free-draining orchid mix. Provide bright light conditions, but shade from hot, direct mid-day sun. Ideal temperatures are 15°C minimum in winter and up to maximum 28 °C during summer daytime. Water and feed plants regularly during the growing season and ensure that all water drains away, preventing the plant sitting in wet. Provide enough humidity by regular misting. Reduce watering and feeding in winter months and keep in a bright, sunny position. As with many orchids, they grow best when well-established and slightly pot-bound. See also indoor orchid cultivation

Propagation

Propagation by seed is only possible in controlled laboratory environment. Mature plants produce sideshoots (keiki) from tips of flowered stems. These can be removed and potted into free-draining orchid propagation mix. Place potted keiki in a bright, humid and warm location to root

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, aphids, thrips and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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