Calanthe Red Sunset - Garden orchid

Calanthe Red Sunset is a hybrid terrestrial orchid rare in cultivation, offering beautiful large red flowers. It produces a floral stem in spring bearing ornamental flowers of great value. Its petals and sepals are a beautiful, soft and deep red, while the labellum (lip) is a lighter, washed-out red, marked with yellow. The overall effect is very refined. A deciduous, perennial, flowering, vigorous plant, Red Sunset is grown in mild and humid climates, in thick and well-drained humus, remaining moist from spring to the end of summer, and 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 and protected by mulch, it can withstand temperatures as low as -10°C (14°F).

Calanthe Red Sunset is a hybrid of wild species mainly from the Far East. The deciduous vegetation emerges from the ground in spring and dries up in autumn. The plant forms a tuft of foliage about 40 cm (16in) in all directions. This orchid develops a pseudobulb, from which large light green leaves, measuring 15 to 40 cm (6 to 16in) long and 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6in) wide, emerge at the beginning of spring. They are pleated, broadly ovate and have strong parallel veins. The foliage somewhat resembles that of veratrums. In in April-May, the plant produces beautiful flower stems reaching a height of 40 cm (16in), adorned with beautiful fairly large flowers consisting of 3 sepals and 3 petals, one of which is called the labellum. It is often this floral part that is astonishing in orchids. The labellum of Red Sunset is wide, washed-out red, marked with bright yellow in the folds, while the other floral parts are a slightly pinkish, deep red. The plant has a weak suckering habit. The plant goes dormant in winter, when its foliage has completely yellowed. 

In favourable climates, plant Calanthe Red Sunset 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 rockery, between rocks or at the edge of a moist understory, alongside Arisaema, Cypripedium, Paris, Bletilla and ferns. An association with an Asian fern such as Athyrium niponicum var. pictum Red Beauty, washed and veined with burgundy red, produces a very attractive result, or a Trillium sessile. Given its average hardiness, it will be necessary to protect the crown from harsh winter conditions and moisture. 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!