trefle.io · Taken May 27, 2022 by Asd Syr (cc-by-sa)
Orchidaceae
Early spider orchid
Ophrys sphegodes
Also known as Ophrys, Spider orchid, Bee orchid, Ophrys aranifera subsp. arachnitiformis
Native Plants · Orchid · Terrestrial Orchid · Native Orchid · Chalk Grassland · Spring Bloomer · Specialist Plant · Pollination Mimicry · Wildflower · Rare · European Orchid
The Early spider orchid is a fascinating but challenging native European terrestrial orchid that depends on specific mycorrhizal fungi in the soil and is best suited to experienced growers or naturalistic chalk or limestone gardens. It requires excellent drainage, low-fertility alkaline soil, and minimal disturbance to the root zone. Avoid fertilising or mulching heavily, and allow the plant to die back naturally after flowering in spring.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water lightly, ensuring excellent drainage; avoid waterlogging at all times · Every 7-10 days during growing season; reduce in dormancy
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil pH
- 8–9
- Cycle
- Perennial
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Spacing
- 6 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Flowers
- No
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Austria, Baleares, Belgium, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria
- Attracts
- Bees
Sources: trefle, usda
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