Early spider-orchid
Ophrys sphegodes · Orchidaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant early spider-orchid: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous (disappears in summer)
- Flowering
- Spring (March to May)
- Adult size
- 15 to 40 cm in height
- Growth
- Slow
- Hardiness
- Hardy (down to -15 °C)
- Origin
- Mediterranean and temperate Europe
- Soil type
- Calcareous, well-drained, poor to medium
Care
Light Exposure
Place your Spider Ophrys in a sunny to partially shaded location, with at least a few hours of direct sunlight. This wild orchid thrives best outdoors, in meadows or grassy habitats. It tolerates seasonal variations in light intensity well, which are essential for its biological cycle.
Soil and Planting
Prefer calcareous, well-drained, poor to medium soil. Soil too rich in organic matter or overly humid promotes tuber rot. If you're growing in a pot, use a wild orchid-specific substrate or a light mix with calcareous gravel.
Watering
Water moderately during winter growth and spring. Reduce and then stop watering once the foliage disappears (late May). During the dormant period (summer and early autumn), the soil should remain dry. Resume lightly in autumn with the return of natural rainfall.
Fertilizing
Apply very diluted fertilizer once or twice during winter and spring growth. Use a balanced fertilizer at low concentration, as this plant prefers poor environments. No fertilizer is often preferable to overfeeding.
Pruning and Deadheading
No pruning is necessary. Simply let the plant complete its natural cycle: leaves and flowers fade and disappear on their own in summer. Remove faded flowers if you wish to direct energy toward the tubers.
Diseases and Pests
Tubers rot easily with excessive moisture or poorly drained soil. Watch for slugs and snails, which can damage young leaves. In protected cultivation, ensure good ventilation to prevent fungi. Maintain dry summer dormancy to avoid any health issues.
Did you know?
The Spider Ophrys is a European wild orchid at the heart of a remarkable pollination story: its flowers imitate the appearance and scent of female wasps, deceiving males who attempt to mate with them and involuntarily ensure pollination. This evolutionary deception has fascinated botanists and entomologists for centuries.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Chinese ground orchidBletilla striata
- Moth orchidPhalaenopsis amabilis
- Spotted orchidDactylorhiza maculata
- Lesser twaybladeNeottia ovata
- Broad-leaved helleborineEpipactis helleborine
- Western Marsh-orchidDactylorhiza majalis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.