Family: Orchidaceae

Both epiphytic and terrestrial types are found in this genus of 16 species of orchids, which are found from India through to Taiwan and Thailand. The flowers come in many colours, but are often white, pink, cerise, mauve or purple.

Species

P. humilis is found growing on trees in its habitat at altitudes of 2500 m (8125 ft). The flower stalk rises from the base of the pseudobulb and the flowers are pure white, with a fringed lip, coloured primrose inside.

P. limprichtii, from Tibet, produces pink to purple flowers with a large, pink, fringed lip, spotted with brown.

P. praecox grows on oak and rhododendron trees at quite low altitudes. The light purple flowers have white mid-veins on the petals, and a fringed lip, blotched with yellow.

Cultivation

These orchids are usually grown in pans in a cold (unheated) greenhouse. Use a proprietary orchid compost, formulated for terrestrial orchids. The plants are best repotted every year, before flowering commences. Water well in spring and summer but keep only slightly moist in winter. Provide good light, but shade from direct strong sun. Propagate by division when repotting. Retain only young pseudobulbs for repotting.

Climate

Zone 9.