Calanthe Olive Green - Garden orchid

Calanthe Olive Green is a hybrid variety of terrestrial orchid, rare in cultivation. Olive Green produces a floral stem in spring that bears elegant flowers, an uncommon olive green colour on petals and sepals touched with brown, the lip is pinkish white, marked with light and dark pink, creating a striking contrasting bicolour effect. A deciduous perennial plant with vigorous flowering, it is best cultivated in mild and humid climates, in thick and well-drained humus, remaining moist from spring to the end of summer but rather dry in winter, in partial shade. Growing in pots allows for easier control of the composition and humidity of the growing medium. In winter, in dry soil or substrate, protected by mulch, it can withstand temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F).

Calanthe Olive Green is a hybrid of wild species mainly from the Far East. The deciduous foliage emerges from the ground in spring and dries up in autumn. The plant forms a cluster of foliage, about 40 cm (16in) in all directions. This orchid develops a pseudobulb, from which large light green leaves emerge in early spring, measuring from 15 to 40 cm (6 to 16in) long and 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6in) wide. They are pleated and broadly ovate, with strongly impressed parallel veins. The foliage resembles that of veratrum. In April-May, the plant produces beautiful inflorescences reaching 40 cm (16in) in height, adorned with magnificent bicolour flowers. Each flower consists of 3 sepals and 3 petals, one of which is very different, called the lip. It is often this floral part that is astonishing in orchids. The lip of Olive Green is wide, pleated, pinkish-white marked with light and dark pink, while the other floral parts are olive green and brown. The plant goes dormant in winter when its foliage has completely yellowed. 

In favourable climates, plant Calanthe Olive Green in partial shade, sheltered from the wind, in light, humus-rich soils, with a neutral or slightly acidic tendency. Plant it in the shade, in a cool rock garden, between rocks or at the edge of a moist understory, alongside Arisaema, Cypripedium, Paris, Bletilla, and ferns. Due to its average hardiness, it will be necessary to protect the crown from harsh winter conditions and wet. This plant grows well in large pots, which can be overwintered in a cold greenhouse.

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