Dienia ophrydis 'Frisky'

RHS Plant Profile
common snout orchid 'Frisky'

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common snout orchid 'Frisky' Valeria Valkova
Conservatory Greenhouse

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

Position

Partial shade

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

Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–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)
H1A

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, Columnar upright
Genus
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