Dienia ophrydis 'Frisky'
common snout orchid 'Frisky'
A small to medium-sized, deciduous, terrestrial orchid with cone-shaped pseudobulbs and bright-green, oval-shaped leaves. The leaves are approximately 30 cm long and 5-10 cm wide. Flowering stems emerge from the centre of the new leaf rosettes in late spring and early summer. Each flowering stem can measure up to 50 cm and carry hundreds of tiny yellow-green buds which turn into dark-pink flowers

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink Red Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink Red Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green Yellow | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1ABotanical details
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming, Columnar upright
- Name status
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in an open, free-draining, bark-based orchid mix. Provide enough bright filtered light, but keep away from direct sunlight or a heating source. Ideal temperatures are around 13 °C minimum at night and up to maximum 24 °C during the day. Requires dry, winter rest when leafless. In spring and summer, water with soft water (ideally rainwater) when the pot feels light when lifted. Ensure that all water drains away, preventing the plant from sitting wet. Orchid fertiliser can be applied throughout the growing season. As with many orchids, they grow best when well-established and slightly pot-bound. Re-potting should be only done if the plant overgrows its container or before the potting mix starts to deteriorate - approximately once in 2-3 years. See indoor orchid cultivation for more tips.
Propagation
Propagation by seed is only possible in a controlled laboratory environment. Well-estastiblished plants can be propagated by division. Ensure each division has young enough, mature pseudobulbs to support new growth. See indoor orchid cultivation for further advice
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required other than removing spent flower stems
Pests
May be susceptible to scale insect, aphids and mealybugs. Thrips can cause damage on flowers and developing flower buds
Diseases
Generally disease-free. Poor air movement may cause bacterial or fungal rots. Good hygiene practice and sterilising cutting tools prevent the spread of virus diseases
Get involved
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