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
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| 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
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- 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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