Epipactis leptochila

Also known as: The Fine Lipped Epipactis or Epipactis leptochila ssp. provincialis Epipactis leptochila var. savelliana Epipactis savelliana Epipactis leptochila ssp. leptochila Epipactis leptochila ssp. thesaurensis Epipactis futakii Epipactis leptochila ssp. neglecta Epipactis leptochila var. neglecta Epipactis neglecta Epipactis naousaensis Epipactis maestrazgona Epipactis muelleri var. peitzii Epipactis muelleri var. leptochila Epipactis muelleri var. cleistogama Epipactis aspromontana Epipactis komoricensis Epipactis provincialis Epipactis latifolia var. rectilinguis Epipactis leptochila var. altensteiniana Epipactis leptochila ssp. maestrazgona Epipactis leptochila f. altensteiniana Epipactis leptochila var. komoricensis Epipactis leptochila var. dinarica Epipactis leptochila var. futakii Epipactis leptochila ssp. futakii Epipactis helleborine var. rectilinguis Epipactis leptochila ssp. dinarica Epipactis leptochila ssp. aspromontana Epipactis leptochila var. cleistogama Epipactis viridiflora var. leptochila Epipactis leptochila ssp. komoricensis Helleborine latifolia subvar. leptochila Epipactis thesaurensis Helleborine latifolia ssp. leptochila Epipactis leptochila ssp. naousaensis Epipactis peitzii Epipactis helleborine ssp. aspromontana Epipactis helleborine ssp. leptochila Epipactis leptochila var. thesaurensis Epipactis leptochila ssp. peitzii Epipactis cleistogama Helleborine latifolia f. rectilinguis Epipactis leptochila var. peitzii Epipactis greuteri var. aspromontana Epipactis viridiflava in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Austria Belgium Denmark France Germany Greece Hungary Italy Netherlands Switzerland

General Information

The Fine Lipped Epipactis is a cold to cool growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous thick lance shaped, oblong shaped leaves

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear during Summer and Spring

Blooming Season

• Spring
• Summer

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.

Fertiliser

These plants do well with slow release fertiliser at the rate of 2-3 pellets per cup (250ml) of media. Additional fertiliser during the growth period may be beneficial, but not necessary.

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.