Orchis mascula aka Early Purple Orchid
Taxonomy
Orchis mascula, also known as the early-purple orchid or early spring orchis, is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Native to Europe, including the British Isles, North-West Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia, this terrestrial orchid grows up to 25-40 cm tall. It has leaves that are typically spotted with deep purple and produces dense, upright spikes of intricate, light to dark purple flowers during the spring to early summer. Common names for this plant include Salep Orchid, Dead Mans Fingers, and Male Orchis. It thrives in various environments such as woodlands, meadows, and mountain pastures, preferring moist loam and leaf mound-rich soils. The plant has a unique root system with two rounded or ellipsoid tubers and features green stems at the base, which turn purple towards the apex. At the base, it forms a rosette of 3-4 stalkless leaves, while the stem bears alternate sheathing leaves. The elliptic-lanceolate-linear blades of the leaves have a dark green to greyish green upper surface, which may or may not be spotted.
Common names
Early Purple Orchid, Salep, Early Purple OrchisHow to care for Early Purple Orchid
Difficulty
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Early Purple Orchid, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
Water
Early Purple Orchid should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Early Purple Orchid loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Early Purple Orchid prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it is common for Early Purple Orchid plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.
Humidity
The Early Purple Orchid does not necessitate supplementary humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their roots, rather than their leaves. Hence, the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants is by watering the soil.
Fertilizer
The Early Purple Orchid should be transferred to a new pot once it has increased in size two-fold, or on an annual basis, whichever occurs earlier. Replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the necessary nutrients, is sufficient enough to support the growth of the plant, thus avoiding the need to use fertilizer. It's important to note that plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.
Region of origin
Early Purple Orchid’s native range is Europe and Northwest Africa.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Orchis Genus
Orchis mascula Early Purple Orchid
Orchis punctulata Small Dotted Orchis
Orchis quadripunctata Four Spotted Orchis
Orchis italica Naked Man Orchid
Orchis anatolica Anatolian Orchid
Orchis morio
Orchis pallens Pale Flowered Orchid
Orchis anthropophora Man Orchid
Orchis militaris Military Orchid
