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Prosthechea cochleata

clamshell orchid

A species orchid to 45cm tall with flattened pear-shaped pseudobulbs bearing lance-shaped leaves 20-35cm long and long-lasting, ribbon-like flowers with pale-green petals and dark-purple lips, flushed yellowish-green, with white bases deeply-veined purple to 8cm long, borne intermittently over a long period

Other common names
cockle orchid
Synonyms
Encyclia cochleata
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Purple Green Yellow Green
Summer Green Purple Green Yellow Green
Autumn Green Purple Green Yellow Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Orchidaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Prosthechea are epiphytic orchids with narrowly elongated pseudobulbs with 1-5 narrow strap-shaped, leathery leaves. Fragrant flowers in winter are borne in racemes from tips of pseudobulbs

Name status

Correct

Plant range
S Florida, Caribbean, Mexico to N South America

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open epiphytic compost with bright filtered light, and when in active growth during spring and summer, water sparingly but regularly and apply orchid fertiliser at every third or fourth watering; keep dry in winter

Propagation

Propagate by division when plants overfill the container

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Sub-tropical
Pruning

No pruning required; remove spent flowers as necessary

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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