Gymnadenia conopsea
Fragrant Orchid
Normally growing to a height of around 40cm, exceptionally to 60cm. Each plant can carry up to 200 individual flowers which are mauve with broad lips. The flowers have an instense perfume which is particularly noticeable in the evening or early morning. These flowers bloom in the Summer.
Contributed by @cwakefield84
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Partial shade
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Occasional watering
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Not Frost hardy
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Moist and free draining
Common name
Fragrant Orchid
Latin name
Gymnadenia conopsea
type
Orchid
family
Orchidaceae
ph
5.0 - 8.0 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Partial shade
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Frost
Not Frost hardy
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Soil
Moist and free draining
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Water
Occasional watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
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When the plant will bloom
full grown dimensions
0.25 M
0.40 M
Gymnadenia conopsea
Normally growing to a height of around 40cm, exceptionally to 60cm. Each plant can carry up to 200 individual flowers which are mauve with broad lips. The flowers have an instense perfume which is particularly noticeable in the evening or early morning. These flowers bloom in the Summer.
Planting
From Early Autumn TO Late Autumn
Semi-shade, no direct sun at midday. A very suitable place would also be on the north side of a building. Most Gymnandenia are woodland plants and therefore prefer cool sites, which do not become too dry and hot during summer. Places where ferns thrive are also suitable for. Don’t plant your Gymnandenia close to trees or big shrubs because their roots are effective competition for water and nutrients! Autumn is the best season for planting. Spread out the roots in the upper 10 cm (4 inches) of the soil, the rhizome 2-3 cm (1 inch) below the surface, shoot buds upwards. Fill in the remaining substrate without compressing it, and water thoroughly.
Flowering
From Early Spring TO Late Winter
Many orchids do not have a flowering season and flowers may be produced at any time if the right conditions are being met. Terrestrial orchids grown outdoors will mostly flower in the summer months. Flowers can last for several months.
Planting young plants
From Early Autumn TO Late Autumn
Sometimes small plantlets (keiki) appear from the nodes on the flower stems. Detach the plantlets when they have developed several good roots and pot them up in orchid compost. Water them sparingly at first, but mist them daily. Always use a proprietary orchid compost. Ensure good light levels in winter, as these are essential to encourage flowering. An east- or west-facing window would be ideal. Move to a shadier spot in summer and protect from direct sunshine. When planting terrestrial orchids outdoors, plant in semi-shade, no direct sun at midday. A very suitable place would also be on the north side of a building. Most orchids are woodland plants and therefore prefer cool sites, which do not become too dry and hot during summer. Places where ferns thrive are also suitable for. Don’t plant your orchids close to trees or big shrubs because their roots are effective competition for water and nutrients! Autumn is the best season for planting. Spread out the roots in the upper 10 cm (4 inches) of the soil, the rhizome 2-3 cm (1 inch) below the surface, shoot buds upwards. Fill in the remaining substrate without compressing it, and water thoroughly.