THELYMITRA RUBRA

Origin: Australia 

Temperatures: Cold to intermediate growing small size terrestrial orchid species  

Watering & fertilizing: Regular watering and fertilizing during  active growing season (fall to spring), keep tubers completely dry when dormant (summer). 

Size: This listing is for 1 tuber, either dormant or in active growth. You’ll receive similar size tuber as pictured. 

General care: Australian terrestrial orchids have similar growing habit to commonly known Habenaria, but in the different time of the year. Australian terrestrial orchids will be completely dormant for hot summer months. They start to sprout usually end of summer / beginning of fall. They will grow actively during fall and winter with blooms appearing sometimes between late winter to early summer. During its active growing season, new tuber or tubers should grow in the pot. Recommended 2inch pot. Thelymitra likes mix of 20% organic (potting soil/peat moss with pine bark, best fermented bark) and 80% inorganic material (akadama or bonsai mix, slightly acid, clay based and porous, no retaining water). These love bright light, in nature they grow expose to scorching sun and their leaves maybe dark purple or orange/yellow from strong sun, not pretty but they need strong light! They will benefit by using mycorrhizae at least once a month, fertilize with ¼ strength of balance fertilizer every 3-4 weeks. Once plant is done blooming and growing, leaves start to yellow/brown and  will fall off. Keep dormant tubers dry till new sprouts appear, best is in plastic container or zip log bag with paper towel, between 60-75F temperature. Great plant for indoor growing on windowsills or greenhouses and outdoors in proper zones.

ALL BLOOM PICTURES ARE FOR ILLUSTRATION PURPOSES ONLY! 

BLOOM PICTURES COURTESY OF ROBERTA FOX & USED WITH PERMISSION