trefle.io · Taken Sep 19, 2019 by Slavko Struna (cc-by-sa)
Orchidaceae
Autumn lady's tresses spiranthes
Spiranthes spiralis
Also known as Spiranthes, Lady's tresses orchid, Autumn lady's tresses, Ophrys autumnalis
Native Plants · Orchid · Terrestrial Orchid · Wildflower · Autumn Bloomer · European Native · Chalk Grassland · Rare · Perennial · Spiranthes · Specialty Plant
Autumn lady's tresses is a delicate terrestrial orchid that requires a very specific growing environment, including well-drained calcareous grassland soil and a mycorrhizal fungal partnership to thrive. It prefers partial shade to dappled sunlight and consistent moisture during its brief autumn blooming period. This is a specialist plant best suited to experienced growers who can replicate its native chalk-grassland conditions.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged; reduce watering in dormancy · Every 5-7 days during active growth
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–7
- Temperature
- -20°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed, Cutting
Hardiness
USDA 5a-10b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 6 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Algeria, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kriti
- Attracts
- Bees, Moths
Sources: trefle, usda
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