Perennial Orchid Collection

The collection consists of:

- x 1 Calanthe 'Red Sunset': a vigorous and floriferous variety. Its flowers are large, composed of petals and sepals in a beautiful, soft, and deep red, and a faded red lip, lighter in colour, marked with yellow. Flowering occurs between April and May.

- x 1 Calanthe hybrid 'Pink & Cream': a variety with generally bicoloured flowers. They are widely open, composed of elongated sepals and petals, slightly pointed, more or less coloured in pink, and a trilobed lip in creamy tones. Flowering occurs between May and June.

- x 1 Calanthe 'Olive Green': Flowers of an uncommon olive green colour on petals and sepals touched with brown. The lip is pinkish white, more or less marked with light pink and dark pink. A contrasting two-tone impression of the most beautiful effect. Flowering occurs between April and May.

The calanthes in this collection are easy to grow, as they can be planted outdoors in regions where frosts are not pronounced and of short duration: their rootstock can withstand brief frosts down to -9 °C in relatively dry soil. Each plant develops a pseudobulb and forms a clump of foliage from spring onwards. The 45 cm tall flower spikes bear several flowers that open staggered, each lasting 8 to 10 days. The rootstock of these orchids produces few suckers; it spreads through rhizomes. The plant goes dormant in winter when its foliage has completely yellowed. Given their average hardiness, protecting the rootstocks from the rigours and winter humidity with a thick mulch will be necessary.

In favourable climates, plant your calanthes in partial shade, sheltered from the wind, in light, humus-bearing soils with a neutral or slightly acidic tendency. Allow 5 to 7 plants per square meter for each to develop freely. You can plant them between the stones of a moist rockery in a nice pocket of leaf compost mixed with pumice. They will also thrive at the edge of a cool woodland in the same type of substrate. An association with an Asian fern like Athyrium niponicum var. pictum Red Beauty, washed and veined with burgundy red, gives a very attractive result, as with a Trillium sessile. These calanthes grow well in large pots, which will be overwintered in a cold greenhouse.

When you receive your orchids, handle them with care: these plants produce few roots and are delicate!