Orchid Types - There Are But Two
There are only two types of orchid, the terrestrial and epiphytes.
My previous article covered, in the main, the tree growing epiphyte type.
I will concentrate here on the less common type of terrestrial growing orchids.
It isn't practical to attempt to cover them all in one article, but I shall endeavor to cover the more unusual species.
Disa Uniflora: Terrestrial.
Origin - South Africa.
This medium sized plant as thick roots, but no pseudobulbs, and a branchless stem some 20 inches (50 cm) in height.
The flowers appear on the apex of the stem and usually number 4 to 5 in colors ranging in various shades of orange.
Other available colors are white, pink, and red.
Flowering is in spring and summer.
The Disa species are known to be difficult to grow.
The D.
uniflora can be grown in a pot with a medium of peat and pearlite mix with a helping of sphagnum.
The growing period is very long and regular watering is needed to keep moisture high.
Eulophia Guineensis: Terrestrial Origin - Tropical Africa.
A medium to large plant, the oval pseudobulbs sit close together on the rhizome.
The leaves are quite large measuring 10 inch (25cm) by 3 inches (8 cm) are heavily veined and pointed towards each end.
The stem is around 16 inches (40 cm) high and holds at least 10 beautiful pink flowers which open in sequence.
Flowering is from autumn to winter.
Once the pseudobulbs have developed the plant will need a resting period of at least one month.
They are easily grown but should be re-potted in medium pots every year using a bark based medium with sphagnum added.
Ludisia Discolor: Terrestrial Origin - India, Indonesia, Indochinese peninsula.
This medium to small terrestrial as no pseudobulbs.
The erect stems are quite substantial in a reddish-brown color and reach 8 to 10 inch (20-25cm) in height.
The leaves are elliptic and quite beautiful in a dark reddish-green with light colored veins.
The plant produces many small white flowers with a yellow lip which only last around two weeks.
Flowering is in winter.
This species is grown usually for its beautiful leaves rather than the actual flower.
Very good results can be obtained by growing in small to medium pots or baskets.
Potting medium should be bark with added sphagnum which should always be moist but never water-logged.
Oeceoclades Maculata: Terrestrial.
Origin - Tropical areas of the Americas and Africa.
Quite a mouthful to pronounce, but a very cute small to medium terrestrial.
The oval pseudobulbs are about one inch (2.
5 cm) tall sit close together on the rhizome with a single leaf at the top.
The elliptic shaped leaf is marbled in various tones of green.
The erect stems are 12 to 16 inches in height (30 to 40cm) and can hold a variable number of small flowers in white to brown or pink.
Flowering is in autumn and can be short lived.
This is an easy growing orchid and should be potted relative to its size.
Potting medium should be equal amounts of bark and sphagnum.
Water regularly and reduce during when there is no plant growth.
Re-potting should be done after the plant as flowered.
My previous article covered, in the main, the tree growing epiphyte type.
I will concentrate here on the less common type of terrestrial growing orchids.
It isn't practical to attempt to cover them all in one article, but I shall endeavor to cover the more unusual species.
Disa Uniflora: Terrestrial.
Origin - South Africa.
This medium sized plant as thick roots, but no pseudobulbs, and a branchless stem some 20 inches (50 cm) in height.
The flowers appear on the apex of the stem and usually number 4 to 5 in colors ranging in various shades of orange.
Other available colors are white, pink, and red.
Flowering is in spring and summer.
The Disa species are known to be difficult to grow.
The D.
uniflora can be grown in a pot with a medium of peat and pearlite mix with a helping of sphagnum.
The growing period is very long and regular watering is needed to keep moisture high.
Eulophia Guineensis: Terrestrial Origin - Tropical Africa.
A medium to large plant, the oval pseudobulbs sit close together on the rhizome.
The leaves are quite large measuring 10 inch (25cm) by 3 inches (8 cm) are heavily veined and pointed towards each end.
The stem is around 16 inches (40 cm) high and holds at least 10 beautiful pink flowers which open in sequence.
Flowering is from autumn to winter.
Once the pseudobulbs have developed the plant will need a resting period of at least one month.
They are easily grown but should be re-potted in medium pots every year using a bark based medium with sphagnum added.
Ludisia Discolor: Terrestrial Origin - India, Indonesia, Indochinese peninsula.
This medium to small terrestrial as no pseudobulbs.
The erect stems are quite substantial in a reddish-brown color and reach 8 to 10 inch (20-25cm) in height.
The leaves are elliptic and quite beautiful in a dark reddish-green with light colored veins.
The plant produces many small white flowers with a yellow lip which only last around two weeks.
Flowering is in winter.
This species is grown usually for its beautiful leaves rather than the actual flower.
Very good results can be obtained by growing in small to medium pots or baskets.
Potting medium should be bark with added sphagnum which should always be moist but never water-logged.
Oeceoclades Maculata: Terrestrial.
Origin - Tropical areas of the Americas and Africa.
Quite a mouthful to pronounce, but a very cute small to medium terrestrial.
The oval pseudobulbs are about one inch (2.
5 cm) tall sit close together on the rhizome with a single leaf at the top.
The elliptic shaped leaf is marbled in various tones of green.
The erect stems are 12 to 16 inches in height (30 to 40cm) and can hold a variable number of small flowers in white to brown or pink.
Flowering is in autumn and can be short lived.
This is an easy growing orchid and should be potted relative to its size.
Potting medium should be equal amounts of bark and sphagnum.
Water regularly and reduce during when there is no plant growth.
Re-potting should be done after the plant as flowered.
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