Dactylorhiza elata
Also known as: The Stately Dactylorhiza or Orchis elata f. pallida Orchis elata f. speciosissima Orchis elata ssp. sesquipedalis Orchis elata var. sesquipedalis Orchis elata var. vestita Orchis elata f. peltieri Orchis rassautae Orchis elata f. munbyana Orchis elata var. munbyana Orchis elata ssp. munbyana Orchis elata var. poiretiana Orchis orientalis ssp. africana Orchis vestita Orchis incarnata var. elatior Orchis incarnata var. ambigua Orchis latifolia ssp. lusitanica Orchis elata f. maroccanica Orchidactyla kabyliensis Orchis sesquipedalis var. algerica Orchis sesquipedalis var. corsica Orchis sesquipedalis var. iberica Orchis incarnata var. algerica Orchis elata subvar. stephensonii Orchis incarnata ssp. sesquipedalis Orchis elata var. ambigua Orchis elata ssp. ambigua Orchis latifolia var. corsica Orchis kabyliensis var. rassautae Orchis lusitanica Orchis elata var. corsica Orchis elata subvar. durandiana Orchis elata f. alba Orchis latifolia var. munbyana Orchis incarnata var. sesquipedalis Orchis elata var. algerica Orchis elata f. willdenowiana Orchis elata f. mairei Orchis elata f. elongata Orchis elata f. klingeana Orchis elata f. leucantha Orchis latifolia var. labrovaria Orchis africana Orchis elata f. albiflora Orchis latifolia var. elatior Orchis latifolia var. elata Orchis latifolia var. elongata Orchis latifolia ssp. elata Orchis latifolia ssp. sesquipedalis Orchis sesquipedalis h.v. altaica Orchis sesquipedalis Dactylorhiza elata ssp. sesquipedalis Dactylorhiza munbyana Dactylorhiza elata ssp. elongata Dactylorhiza elata var. corsica Dactylorhiza elata var. occitanica Dactylorhiza elata var. algerica Dactylorhiza elata ssp. elata Dactylorhiza majalis ssp. sesquipedalis Dactylorhiza elata ssp. munbyana Dactylorhiza elata ssp. esquipedalis Dactylorhiza elata var. ambigua Dactylorhiza elata ssp. brennensis Dactylorhiza elata subvar. munbyana Dactylorhiza elata f. cordata Dactylorhiza elata var. brennensis Dactylorhiza elata var. sesquipedalis Dactylorhiza elata f. peltieri Dactylorhiza elata ssp. ambigua Dactylorhiza elata ssp. mauritanica Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. elata Dactylorhiza elata subvar. speciosissima Dactylorhiza elata f. alba Dactylorhiza elata f. speciosissima Dactylorhiza brennensis Dactylorhiza elata var. munbyana Dactylorhiza elata ssp. iberica Dactylorhiza elata f. leucantha Dactylorhiza elata var. iberica Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. africana Dactylorhiza elata f. pallida Dactylorchis sesquipedalis Dactylorhiza elata subvar. stephensonii Dactylorhiza elata subvar. maroccanica Dactylorhiza elata var. elongata Dactylorchis munbyana Dactylorhiza vestita Dactylorhiza sesquipedalis Orchis kabyliensis Dactylorhiza occitanica Orchis munbyana in the subfamily: Orchidoideae
General Information
The Stately Dactylorhiza is a medium to giant sized cool to warm growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Orchidoideae.
Care Notes
These orchids grow on the forest floor so are used to rich soil containing plenty of organic matter that is always moist (but not always wet), and prefer constant conditions in terms of humidity, temperature and water supply. They may not be as forgiving as epiphytes in regards to sudden changes in growing conditions so it is wise to ease them into new conditions over a the space of a few days, and repot as infrequently as possible.
Keep an eye on the plants condition regularly as they can decline suddenly if the conditions are not just right. It is more important to keep water supply constant rather than frequent - overwatering often causes rot which can quickly set in, especially in warmer conditions.
These can be grown in shady, moist areas in the garden, supplied they have protection from abrupt changes caused by the elements, e.g. dry winds, frost etc. Being grown around companion plants such as ferns and bromeliads will help build and retain the humidity they require throughout the year.
Potting
These plants can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well.
The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.
