Stenoglottis longifolia

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long-leaved stenoglottis

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Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

A deciduous, terrestrial orchid forming dense basal rosette clusters with slender bright green leaves to 18cm long and flower stems reaching 22-50cm in height. Masses of pink or light purple flowers in panicles, with a spotted lip, open sequentially over summer and autumn giving an extended flowering period

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
North–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)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Stenoglottis are terrestrial or epiphytic orchids with rosettes of spotted leaves from small tubers. Spikes from the centre of the rosette bear small pink or white flowers spotted purple with folded petals and 3-5 lobed lips
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
South Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Can be grown on a cool windowsill kept below 25°C with a minimum night temperature of 5°C. Compost can be a 50:50 mixture of bark, sphagnum moss or sand or perlite and leaf compost. Plants become dormant after flowering when watering should cease, restarting again when new shoots appear

Propagation

Division of roots when plant is potted at the end of the dormancy period. Tease out the roots carefully, only discarding any shrivelled ones.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free