Habenaria bracteata

Also known as: Satyrium viride Platanthera viridis var. bracteata Satyrium ferrugineum Satyrium alpinum Peristylus viridis Satyrium fuscum Sieberia viridis Orchis ferruginea Orchis virens Satyrium virescens Orchis flava var. virescens Orchis coreana Peristylus viridis var. macrobracteatus Platanthera viridis Peristylus islandicus Orchis viridis var. vaillantii Platanthera nankotaizanensis Peristylus montanus Satyrium bracteale Platanthera islandica Orchis viridis var. major Peristylus bracteatus Orchis batrachites Satyrium lingulatum Peristylus virescens Orchis viridis Orchis virescens Orchis bractealis Platanthera viridis var. densiflora Coeloglossum viride h.v. viride Entaticus viridis Habenaria viridis Habenaria viridis var. bracteata Dactylorhiza viridis var. viridis Coeloglossum viride h.v. densiflora Coeloglossum viride f. brevibracteatum Coeloglossum viride f. gracillimum Coeloglossum islandicum Coeloglossum kaschmirianum Coeloglossum viride f. grandiflorum Coeloglossum viride f. integrum Coeloglossum viride ssp. coreanum Coeloglossum viride var. interjecta Coeloglossum viride f. virescens Coeloglossum viride f. collinum Coeloglossum taiwanianum Coeloglossum viride f. bracteatum Coeloglossum viride var. collinum Coeloglossum nankotaizanense Coeloglossum coreanum Coeloglossum viride f. dentatum Coeloglossum viride f. microbracteatum Coeloglossum viride f. parviflorum Coeloglossum viride ssp. islandicum Chamorchis viridis Coeloglossum bracteatum Coeloglossum viride var. subalpinum Coeloglossum viride f. islandicum Coeloglossum viride f. purpureum Coeloglossum viride var. thuringiacum Coeloglossum viride f. thuringiacum Coeloglossum viride var. rhenanum Coeloglossum viride var. vaillantii Coeloglossum viride f. lancifolium Coeloglossum viride f. longibracteatum Coeloglossum viride ssp. bracteatum Dactylorhiza viridis var. virescens Coeloglossum vaillantii Coeloglossum viride var. virescens Coeloglossum viride Coeloglossum viride var. islandicum Coeloglossum viride var. bracteatum Coeloglossum viride f. roseum Coeloglossum bracteatum var. kashmiricum Coeloglossum viride var. akaishimontanum Dactylorhiza viridis Herminium nankotaizanense Habenaria viridis ssp. bracteata Habenaria viridis var. interjecta Orchis obsoleta Gymnadenia viridis Habenaria flava var. virescens Himantoglossum viride in the subfamily: Orchidoideae

General Information

Habenaria bracteata is a cold 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.