Ophrys apifera

Also known as: Troll's Ophrys or Ophrys purpurea Ophrys scolopax var. oestrifera Ophrys ripaensis Ophrys scolopax ssp. oestrifera Ophrys rostrata Ophrys saraepontana Ophrys trollii Ophrys holoserica h.f. alba Ophrys botteronii h.v. saraepontana Orchis pseudoapifera Ophrys holoserica ssp. holoserica Orchis holoserica Ophrys heterochila Ophrys oestrifera Ophrys holoserica h.v. maxima Ophrys holoserica h.v. elatior Ophrys apifera var. botteronii Ophrys holubyana Ophrys holoserica h.v. chestermanii Orchis oestrifera Ophrys apifera var. chlorantha Ophrys apifera var. trollii Ophrys apifera var. flavescens Ophrys apifera var. friburgensis Ophrys holoserica Arachnites apifer Cephalophrys integra Ophrys botteronii Ophrys apifera var. bicolor Ophrys apifera var. curviflora Ophrys apifera f. flaveola Ophrys apifera ssp. botteronii Ophrys apifera f. botteronii Ophrys apifera var. brevilabellata Ophrys apifera f. brevilabellata Ophrys integra Ophrys apifera ssp. chlorantha Ophrys apifera var. laetitiae Ophrys epeirophora Ophrys apifera f. chodatii Ophrys apifera f. belgarum Ophrys apifera var. broteroi Ophrys apifera var. patinata Ophrys apifera f. trollii Ophrys apifera f. basiliensis Ophrys apifera var. almaracensis Ophrys apifera ssp. olimpiadae Ophrys apifera f. badensis Ophrys apifera var. aurita Ophrys apifera var. austriaca Ophrys chlorantha Ophrys apifera var. atrofusca Ophrys apifera var. cordatitepala Ophrys apifera f. curviflora Ophrys apifera f. aurita Ophrys apifera var. cambrensis Ophrys apifera var. badensis Ophrys apifera var. jurana Ophrys apifera var. basiliensis Ophrys picta var. oestrifera Ophrys apifera ssp. austriaca Ophrys apifera f. almaracensis Ophrys apifera f. patinata Ophrys apifera var. belgarum Ophrys albiflora Ophrys apifera ssp. immaculata Ophrys apifera f. bicolor Ophrys apifera ssp. purpurea Ophrys apifera proles botteronii Ophrys insectifera var. purpurata Ophrys apifera ssp. muteliae Ophrys apifera var. purpurea Ophrys asilifera Ophrys apifera ssp. trollii Ophrys apifera var. muteliae Ophrys jurana Ophrys apifera f. pauciflora Ophrys apifera var. subterrostrunca Ophrys insectifera subvar. aurita Ophrys apifera f. tilaventina Ophrys apifera var. tilaventina Ophrys immaculata Ophrys insectifera ssp. apifera Ophrys mangini Ophrys bicolor Ophrys apifera var. filitepala Ophrys aquisgranensis Ophrys insectifera var. trollii Ophrys friburgensis Ophrys apifera var. purpurata Ophrys apifera f. flavescens Ophrys apifera var. saraepontana Ophrys apifera var. urbinensis Ophrys apifera f. friburgensis Ophrys apifera ssp. friburgensis Ophrys apifera var. speciosa Ophrys apifera var. fulvofusca Ophrys apifera lusus immaculata Ophrys apifera ssp. jurana Ophrys apifera var. immaculata Ophrys austriaca Ophrys apifera f. fulvofusca in the subfamily: Orchidoideae

Native to: Algeria Austria Belgium Corsica - France Cyprus Germany Greece Hungary Iraq Ireland Israel Jordan Lebanon Netherlands Portugal Romania Sardinia - Italy Sicily - Italy Spain Switzerland Tunisia Turkey

General Information

Troll's Ophrys is a cold to warm growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Orchidoideae native to Algeria, Austria, Belgium, France, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, and Turkey.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous erect lance 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.

Climate

Grows at high elevations.

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.