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Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Pleone bulbocodioides


The very mention of the word 'orchid' conjures up images of exotic flowers from tropical climates that are expensive and difficult to cultivate - temperamental prima donnas of the plant world. That may be true of some of the epiphytic species but this little Pleione ground orchid from southern China couldn't be easier to grow. Provided it's kept dry in winter it's hardy - mine sat in a frozen greenhouse all winter - and the pseudobulbs steadily multiply, gradually filling a pan with flowers that are produced in May, before the leaves expand.