Calanthe sieboldii Light - Garden orchid

Calanthe sieboldii 'Light' is a rare form of Japanese terrestrial orchid with very pale yellow flowers. It is a floriferous and vigorous, beautiful perennial plant which is somewhat delicate to grow. Its late spring flowering is spectacular, in the form of a spike of large long-lasting, randomly scented flowers. It thrives in mild and humid climates, in thick and well-drained humus, in partial shade. Growing it in pots allows for easier control of the composition and moisture of the growing medium and protects it from severe winter frosts.

Native to Japan and closely related to Calanthe discolor, Calanthe sieboldii has the largest flowers among this group of Japanese orchids. Its flowering period is also particularly long for a perennial orchid. This species grows in humid forests, along mountain streams and wet slopes, high mountain meadows, among the thickets of the warm and humid regions of western Japan. In dry soil, protected by mulch, it can withstand frosts of around -10 °C.

The vegetation of Calanthe sieboldii 'Light' is deciduous and emerges from the ground in spring and dries quite late in autumn. The plant forms a clump of foliage about 35 cm in all directions. This orchid develops a pseudobulb, from which large, light green leaves, from 15 to 40 cm long and from 8 to 15 cm wide emerge. They are pleated and broadly ovate with strong parallel veins. The foliage somewhat resembles that of a black hellebore. In May-June, the plant produces beautiful inflorescences up to 45 cm tall, bearing 5 to 25 very pale yellow flowers, 3 to 5 cm in diameter. They are widely open, composed of elongated, pointed sepals and petals and a fairly wide trilobed white lip, speckled with yellow. The central lobe is deeply veined, with a variable number of linear protuberances. The rootstock produces a few suckers over time. The plant goes dormant in winter, when its foliage has completely turned yellow.

In favourable climates, plant Calanthe sieboldii 'Light' in partial shade, sheltered from the wind, in light, humus-bearing soils, with a neutral or slightly acidic tendency. Plant it in light shade, in a cool rockery, among rocks or at the edge of moist woodland, alongside Arisaema, Cypripedium, Hostas, Bletilla, and ferns. It is a good idea to protect the rootstock from harsh winter conditions and excessive moisture. This plant grows well in large pots, which should be overwintered in a cold greenhouse.

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