Pleione Orchid Formosanum W2
Pleionie Formosanum W2
A white hybrid of the species Formosanum. Very limited supply. Pure white petals with brownish almost orange markings in the throat.
- HEIGHT: 7- 18 cm
- WIDTH: 10-15 cm
- SUPPLIED AS: bulb
- PLANT DEPTH: plant bulb on top of the potting mix leaving about 1/3 of the bulb exposed above the surface.
- PLANT SPACING: 20 cm
- PLANTING WINDOW: June-August
- FLOWERING TIME: Early Spring
- GROWING ZONES: Australia wide.
- CUT FLOWER: No
- FRAGRANT: No
Native to the Himalayas, Pleiones are mostly a ground dweller, however some species and hybrids thrive in an epiphytic situation. Good drainage is essential and any potting should be done in a fine orchid mix with scoria added to the base of the pots. Pleiones prefer to have a deep root run to accommodate their root system and to prevent them drying out too fast in summer. We recommend that the pot or container be at least 12cm deep. For draining we use a layer of 25mm scoria, on top of the scoria a 3-4cm layer of potting mix and then a layer of pelletised organic poultry manure such as Dynamic Lifter that does not contain any extra additives or chemical fertilisers. Finally, fill the container almost to the top with another layer of potting mix. Then plant the bulbs on top of the mix, leaving about one third of the bulb above the level of the mix. Bulbs will flower from mid August to November depending on the variety and the season, flowers are followed by foliage.
Take care not to overwater them until the foliage is established. Remove spent flowers. Pleione orchids are gross feeders. Commencing in late February, they may be given a very weak soluble fertilizer that is high in potash, such as Photrogen; about once every few weeks until the foliage dies down in late autumn. Do not apply on hot days and do not top dress with granular fertilizers.
Please note these are vastly different to the ‘Chinese ground orchid’ (Bletilla Striata). Early spring BLOOMING.