Ophrys, Serapias - more Mediterranean terrestrials

[Roberta]

Another batch of the European Mediterranean terrestrials. Here are two species in the Ophrys scolopax group, Oph. cerastes (scolopax ssp. cornuta) and Oph. hygrophila (Oph. scolopax ssp. scolopax). The taxonomy is messy, the scolopax subspecies epithets are from Kew. Serapias are the "tongue orchids" starting with Srps. lingua. The red form is more common, but there's a pink one in this bunch too. Srps. cordigera and Srps. bergonii are bigger, and have delightfully fuzzy lips.

Like the ones that have shown before, these are summer-dormant (no water), watering starts in October once nights cool off. Where the photos show foliage, you can see that it's yellowing, the plants will be going dormant shortly after the flowers fade.

[DirtyCoconuts]

amazing!! thanks for sharing these

[Dalachin]

They're fantastic!

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Another batch of the European Mediterranean terrestrials. Here are two species in the Ophrys scolopax group, Oph. cerastes (scolopax ssp. cornuta) and Oph. hygrophila (Oph. scolopax ssp. scolopax). The taxonomy is messy, the scolopax subspecies epithets are from Kew. Serapias are the "tongue orchids" starting with Srps. lingua. The red form is more common, but there's a pink one in this bunch too. Srps. cordigera and Srps. bergonii are bigger, and have delightfully fuzzy lips.

Like the ones that have shown before, these are summer-dormant (no water), watering starts in October once nights cool off. Where the photos show foliage, you can see that it's yellowing, the plants will be going dormant shortly after the flowers fade.

These are absolutely stunning. Growing an Ophrys indoors is my dream. That is the first orchid I ever saw in person when I was a kid, I remember playing on this field and one day I saw this mesmerizing purple "bee" floating in between long grass, weeds, and bushes. Every year I would check if the magic orchid showed up to no avail. This is the only orchid that grows naturally in my region (Asturias, Northern Spain, 77% average humidity, temperatures between average 50ºF in winter - and 66ºF in summer).

I thought these were impossible to grow in pots!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by MateoinLosAngeles

These are absolutely stunning. Growing an Ophrys indoors is my dream. That is the first orchid I ever saw in person when I was a kid, I remember playing on this field and one day I saw this mesmerizing purple "bee" floating in between long grass, weeds, and bushes. Every year I would check if the magic orchid showed up to no avail. This is the only orchid that grows naturally in my region (Asturias, Northern Spain, 77% average humidity, temperatures between average 50ºF in winter - and 66ºF in summer).

I thought these were impossible to grow in pots!

Indoors might still be a challenge. You can control watering, but low temps will likely be too warm and summer heat not warm enough. Mine live outside. So about the only significant climate difference from their native habitat is that winter rain is uncertain, it gets supplemented with a hose. (Not so much this year, but usually nature needs some help in the the "water" department.) Pots aren't a problem, they don't have spreading roots. Medium is about 80% inorganic - I use pumice. The balance is some cactus-mix potting soil. I'll also add a few marble chips for very slow-release alkalinity. Pumice rather than perlite for the weight, since when dry pots are very light, don't want them going over in the wind.

For the Mediterranean-climate terrestrials, getting an "artificial climate" right is likely difficult, but the uncontrolled climate that nature provides in our area is free, and nearly perfect for these.