Ione bicolor

Native to: Bhutan China Myanmar Nepal Sikkim - India Thailand West Bengal - India

General Information

Ione bicolor is a warm growing orchid native to Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, India, and Thailand.

Plant Description

Each new growth has a single erect rigid, oblong shaped leaf that grows to 0.5-9.5cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 0.6-2cm

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Medium
• Bark
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Climate

Grows at high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 5mm to 546mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 51% to 84%, highest in September and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 1C to 21C, highest in April (16C to 21C) and lowest in January (1C to 13C).

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.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a low Nitrogen fertiliser during Winter. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser year round.

Potting

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots Repotting is best done annually.