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Pleione bulbocodioides

A small deciduous perennial to around 15cm high, producing round pseudobulbs, each with a single, folded, lance-shaped leaf to 14cm long. Solitary lilac-pink flowers, with white or pink lips spotted with pale brown or purple, are produced on short stems in spring

Synonyms
Pleione pogonioides (Rolfe) Rolfe
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
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Pink Purple Green
Summer Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Orchidaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Pleione are deciduous orchids with pseudobulbs each bearing one or two lance-shaped leaves and mostly solitary flowers to 8cm across, on short stems

Name status

Correct

Plant range
C China to SE Tibet

How to grow

Cultivation

May be grown outdoors in frost-free environment, or in a shallow container filled with orchid compost, indoors in a cool place in filtered light. Water lightly in spring when new growth appears, and freely in summer until leaves die down; keep dry over winter. Re-pot annually before flowering, discarding old pseudobulbs

Propagation

Propagate by division of pseudobulbs

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

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

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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