About Spathoglottis Plants

Origins

• Roughly 30 species of Spathoglottis exist, all native to tropical parts of southern Asia and northern Australia. The greatest species diversity occurs on the island of New Guinea. Only a few species are cultivated in gardens, usually S. plicata. However, extensive breeding created hybrids with a wider array of flower colors. Hybrid ground orchids are often developed by horticulturists in India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

Features

• Ground orchids are herbaceous evergreen perennials. Their medium- to dark-green leaves are long, slender ellipses, often with pleated and parallel veins. Leaves resemble the leaflets on a large palm frond. A leafy plant clump matures 12 to 24 inches tall and 1 to 3 feet wide, depending on the species or cultivar. When the weather is warm and soil moist, plants send up sturdy but slender stalks topped with loose clusters of five-petaled flowers. They are held above the leaves. Petal colors range from white to pink and deep magenta-rose to bicolors or delicate shades of apricot, peach or yellow. Species are self-pollinating and yield seeds that sprout, whereas hybrids usually are sterile.

Climate Hardiness

• Grow ground orchids outdoors only in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and warmer. Light frosts in zone 9 will kill back all foliage and flowers. The plants may sprout back weakly depending on the severity of cold. These orchids do best in regions with ample humidity and are not well suited to desert regions or areas with dry winds during the summer months. In the winter months, it should be slightly drier, not rainy.

Growing Conditions

• Plant these orchids in a sandy or gritty soil enriched with organic matter such as peat, compost or well-rotted manure. Loam is acceptable if it is light in texture, porous and always allows thorough water drainage. Partial sun to dappled partial shade is the best light exposure. In garden plots lacking irrigation, placing Spathoglottis orchids in slightly more shade diminishes their watering needs and protects their leaves from scorch or edges from browning. Water freely and apply a balanced formula of liquid fertilizers monthly during the warm months from spring to fall. Keep the soil slightly drier in winter and fertilize lightly, as the plants may still bloom in warm temperatures.