Small white orchid
Pseudorchis albida · Orchidaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant small white orchid: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous, disappears after flowering
- Blooming
- June to July
- Adult size
- 20 to 40 cm in height
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to –20 °C
- Origin
- Mountains of central and northern Europe
- Soil type
- Chalky, well-drained, rich in organic matter
- Growth
- Slow, establishment over several years
Care
Exposure
Prefer a semi-shaded to sunny exposure, ideally in an alpine or mountain meadow. This wild orchid tolerates areas with a few hours of direct morning sun well. A cool, airy environment promotes its flourishing.
Soil and drainage
Install it in well-drained, chalky or neutral soil, enriched with organic matter (dead leaves, blonde peat). Stagnant moisture is harmful: drainage is crucial, even in naturally humid areas. Opt for a light mulch of leaves in autumn.
Watering
Water moderately during spring growth and flowering, maintaining constant moisture but never waterlogged soil. During dormancy (late July to April), reduce watering considerably. Prefer rainwater or demineralized water.
Fertilizing
Apply a very diluted balanced fertilizer (type N–P–K 5–5–5) once or twice in spring, before or at the start of flowering. A wild orchid is undemanding and excessive enrichment can promote rot. The organic matter in the soil is often sufficient.
Pruning and maintenance
No pruning is necessary. Simply remove faded flowers after flowering to prevent rot. Let the foliage dry naturally in summer: this vegetative rest is essential for tubercle formation for the following year.
Diseases and pests
Watch for rot caused by excess moisture, particularly in poorly drained areas. Slugs and snails can damage young shoots in spring. In cultivation, tubercle rot is the main risk: prioritize good drainage and ventilate regularly.
Did you know?
Pseudorchis albida has fascinated botanists for centuries with its ingenious pollination strategy: its tiny white flowers emit a subtle fragrance to attract small hymenopterans. Once present in lowlands across central Europe, its decline in cultivated meadows makes it a protected orchid in several countries, symbolizing the fragility of alpine ecosystems.
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.