Description
An all too seldom seen plant, widespread in the wild from Nepal to Japan, but very rarely encountered in cultivation. It has a very slender rhizome made of small, packed pseudobulbs below ground and narrow, slender ribbed foliage above ground.
Neither the rhizome nor the foliage is large but the flowers are only a fraction smaller than ‘normal’ species such as discolor. These flowers are pale to mid pink with a tinge of yellow towards the petal tips which tones them perfectly into the lip, which is deeper yellow inside, marked and frilled with deep pink or red.
This is a stunner and is one that I love. It does need more attention than some – liking more shade and humidity. It is not difficult, but is simply not a species for hot, dry, sunny conditions. Its occurrences at high altitude in the wild (and its name of course!) would suggest that it is cold hardy in the UK although, as with Cymbidyum goeringii, winter drainage will need attention.
NOT available for U.S.A., Norway, Switzerland, etc.
Calanthe are no longer shipped outside of the UK and EU.
