Pleiones are charming, miniature orchids with about 16 species in the genus. These are mainly terrestrial, sometimes lithophytic or epiphytic, deciduous plants, which produce rounded or coned pseudobulbs with a single, narrowly oval, ribbed leaf. The flowers are borne singly, but with occasionally two, on a slender stem that arises from the new growth when it is very young.
The flowers are large for the size of the plant, and vary little in their appearance. Typically, the flowers have narrow sepals and petals of equal length, with a large, frilled, trumpet-shaped lip. The colours extend from pristine white to glistening pink and delicate mauve shades. Yellow is a rarer colour, but comes through in a number of the hybrids derived from the yellow-flowered species Pleione forrestii.
Under good culture they make extensive aerial roots, which form a dense and protective mass around the base of the plant. A good number of the species are in cultivation, in addition to a few hybrids, which are generally little improvement upon the fantastic species.
The crossing of these two plants produced the lovely, deep blue V. Rothschildiana, and this one hybrid ha done more to promote the genus in the northern hemisphere than any other orchid. V. Rothschildiana will grow with exceptional ease and bloom two to three times a year. The plants can grow considerably tall, up to 1m (3ft), making an impressive specimen when in bloom The large, rounded blooms are over 7cm (3in) across and will last for several weele at a time. In addition, there are other variously coloured vandas and intergeneric hybrids available.
Stanhopea graveolens These orchids have a definite resting period during which they need to be allowed to dry out. This period may be while they are flowering in the summer, with new growths appearing during the autumn and continuing throughout the winter. Temperature is cool to intermediategrowing.
Pleiones like to be grown very cool, and a frost-free position will suit them during the winter. In summer, while they are growing keep them on a cool windowsill or outdoors, if a suitable place can be found for them, once the flowers have finished. They can be planted out in rockeries in sheltered places, but the biggest danger here is of their being eaten by mice or slugs. Whatever other orchids you grow, find a small place for a few dainty pleiones. - 16035
The flowers are large for the size of the plant, and vary little in their appearance. Typically, the flowers have narrow sepals and petals of equal length, with a large, frilled, trumpet-shaped lip. The colours extend from pristine white to glistening pink and delicate mauve shades. Yellow is a rarer colour, but comes through in a number of the hybrids derived from the yellow-flowered species Pleione forrestii.
Under good culture they make extensive aerial roots, which form a dense and protective mass around the base of the plant. A good number of the species are in cultivation, in addition to a few hybrids, which are generally little improvement upon the fantastic species.
The crossing of these two plants produced the lovely, deep blue V. Rothschildiana, and this one hybrid ha done more to promote the genus in the northern hemisphere than any other orchid. V. Rothschildiana will grow with exceptional ease and bloom two to three times a year. The plants can grow considerably tall, up to 1m (3ft), making an impressive specimen when in bloom The large, rounded blooms are over 7cm (3in) across and will last for several weele at a time. In addition, there are other variously coloured vandas and intergeneric hybrids available.
Stanhopea graveolens These orchids have a definite resting period during which they need to be allowed to dry out. This period may be while they are flowering in the summer, with new growths appearing during the autumn and continuing throughout the winter. Temperature is cool to intermediategrowing.
Pleiones like to be grown very cool, and a frost-free position will suit them during the winter. In summer, while they are growing keep them on a cool windowsill or outdoors, if a suitable place can be found for them, once the flowers have finished. They can be planted out in rockeries in sheltered places, but the biggest danger here is of their being eaten by mice or slugs. Whatever other orchids you grow, find a small place for a few dainty pleiones. - 16035
