Anacamptis papilionacea

Also known as: The Large Flowered Orchis or Orchis papilionacea var. messenica Orchis rubra Orchis expansa Orchis papilionacea var. minimus Orchis papilionacea ssp. schirwanica Orchis papilionacea f. morgetiana Orchis papilionacea var. expansa Orchis papilionacea ssp. palaestina Orchis papilionacea f. palaestina Orchis papilionacea var. parviflora Orchis papilionacea var. rosea Orchis papilionacea f. rubra Orchis papilionacea var. rubra Orchis papilionacea var. morgetiana Orchis papilionacea ssp. grandiflora Orchis papilionacea ssp. messenica Orchis papilionacea var. decipiens Orchis papilionacea ssp. bruhnsiana Orchis papilionacea f. balcanica Orchis papilionacea ssp. balcanica Orchis papilionacea ssp. alibertis Orchis papilionacea var. alibertis Orchis rubra var. expansa Orchis papilionacea f. rosea Vermeulenia caspia Vermeulenia papilionacea var. bruhnsiana Vermeulenia papilionacea var. grandiflora Orchis papilionacea f. grandiflora Orchis candida Orchis papilionacea var. major Orchis schirwanica Orchis bruhnsiana Anacamptis caspia Orchis valdemiana Orchis papilionacea h.f. alba Orchis papilionacea var. vexillifera Vermeulenia papilionacea f. palaestina Vermeulenia papilionacea var. palaestina Vermeulenia papilionacea var. expansa Vermeulenia papilionacea var. aegaea Vermeulenia papilionacea var. alibertis Vermeulenia papilionacea f. morgetiana Vermeulenia papilionacea var. vexillifera Vermeulenia papilionacea f. rubra Vermeulenia papilionacea var. messenica Vermeulenia papilionacea f. balcanica Orchis papilionacea var. grandiflora Orchis papilionacea ssp. papilionacea Orchis papilionacea ssp. rubra Orchis papilionacea var. bruhnsiana Anacamptis papilionacea var. cyrenaica Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. palaestina Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. expansa Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. schirwanica Anacamptis papilionacea var. balcanica Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. alibertis Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. messenica Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. grandiflora Anacamptis papilionacea var. nivea Orchis papilionacea ssp. Expansa Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. rubra Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. septentrionalis Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. thaliae Orchis decipiens Orchis caspia Anacamptis papilionacea var. parviflora Anacamptis papilionacea ssp. aegaea Orchis moriopapilionacea in the subfamily: Orchidoideae

General Information

The Large Flowered Orchis is a cool growing orchid belonging to the sub family Orchidoideae.

Plant Description

Grows to 2-55cm. Each new growth has numerous erect lance shaped leaves that grow to 0.5-18cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 10-20cm

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 1mm to 33mm per day, heaviest in November and lightest in June. Humidity ranges from 61% to 70%, highest in September and lowest in February. Temperature ranges from 4C to 31C, highest in August (21C to 31C) and lowest in January (4C to 14C).

Watering

These orchids are sensitive to excessive watering and should only be watered when they look thirsty. Water infrequently and ensure that the roots are dry before watering. Keep an eye on them especially during hot weather as overwatering can lead to rot, whereas underwatering may result in wilting or shriveling, which while unattractive, will not kill the plant.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Use balanced fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser during Spring and Summer. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

Repotting is best done annually.