Gymnadenia conopsea

Also known as: The Mosquito Gymnadenia or The Fragrant Orchid in the subfamily: Orchidoideae

Native to: China

General Information

The Mosquito Gymnadenia is a medium sized cool to warm growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Orchidoideae native to China.

Plant Description

Grows to 2-60cm. Each new growth has numerous erect lance shaped leaves that grow to 0.5-25cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 60cm

Flowers

Numerous fragrant blossoms appear

Fragrance

The orchid is fragrant.

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Treefern
• Spaghnum Moss
• Sand

Care Notes

These orchids live on the forest floor and keep tubers to store energy and nutrients during dormancy and poor weather. They are generally quite forgiving and usually thrive on neglect, as long as it's the type of neglect where they are forgotten to be watered or fertilised, as overwatering can cause rot, and excessive fertilisers can affect the fine root system.

They are quite forgiving when it comes to light and environmental conditions, as long as they have enough moisture in the soil to keep going. Damage to leaves from overexposure to light or dry conditions has no long term implications as the plant will withdraw back to the tuber and be replaced with a new plant in the next season. Just be sure not to overwater damaged plants as they will rot.

They will enter a dormancy phase where leaves are shedded the plant withdraws back to the ground. During dormancy tubers can be removed from the soil, kept in a dry cool place if required, replanting when new roots appear. However, most plants will do better if not disturbed, and replanting late can set back the plant and reduce the likelihood of flowering in the following year.

In many areas these can be grown in the garden, needing little maintenance. 

Fragrant:

• IsFragrant

Climate

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 0mm to 274mm per day, heaviest in July and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 42% to 82%, highest in August and lowest in January. Temperature ranges from 2C to 26C, highest in May (18C to 26C) and lowest in January (2C to 16C).

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

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.

This plant does well mounted.