trefle.io · Taken May 8, 2021 by Llongarriu Adriana (cc-by-sa)
Orchidaceae
Fly orchid
Ophrys insectifera
Also known as Insect orchid, Ophrys insectifera, Bee orchid, Orchis insectifera
Native Plants · Fly Orchid · Ophrys · Terrestrial Orchid · European Orchid · Pollinator Mimicry · Rare Orchid · Wildflower · Chalk Grassland · Specialist Plant · Protected Species
The Fly Orchid is a specialist European terrestrial orchid that mimics insects to attract its wasp pollinators and requires chalky, well-drained alkaline soil to thrive. It is extremely challenging to cultivate outside its native habitat and is best grown in carefully prepared limestone-based rockery or wildflower settings. This plant is not recommended for beginners and should not be collected from the wild, as it is protected in many countries.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Keep soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; ensure excellent drainage · Every 5-7 days during active growth; reduce in dormancy
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5–7
- Temperature
- -10°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Division
Hardiness
USDA 5a-11b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 6 in – 2 ft
- Spread
- 6 in
- Spacing
- 6 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Fine
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Austria, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Rus, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy
- Attracts
- Bees
Sources: trefle, usda
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