Schönorche 'Red Sunset'

Season Overview

Description

Calanthe Red Sunset (Calanthe x hybrida Red Sunset) is a rare hybrid of a terrestrial orchid that produces beautiful, fairly large red flowers. In spring, it produces an inflorescence with highly decorative flowers from a light green leaf pseudobulb. Its petals and sepals are a beautiful, soft, deep red, while the lip is paler with yellow markings. The overall appearance is very refined. This flowering, deciduous, and vigorous perennial plant is grown in mild and humid climates in thick, well-drained humus that remains moist from spring to late summer and is rather dry in winter. It prefers partial shade. Growing it in pots makes it easier to control the composition and moisture of the substrate. In winter, in dry soil or substrate and protected by a layer of mulch, it can withstand temperatures down to about 42.2°F. Calanthe Red Sunset is a hybrid of wild species, mainly from the Far East. Its deciduous vegetation emerges from the ground in spring and dries out in autumn. The plant forms a clump of leaves about 40 cm in diameter. This orchid develops a pseudobulb from which large light green leaves sprout in spring, 15 to 40 cm long and 8 to 15 cm wide. They are folded, broadly oval, and crossed by strong parallel veins. The foliage is somewhat similar to that of Veratrums. In spring, in April and May, the plant forms tall inflorescences of 40 cm, adorned with beautiful, fairly large flowers. The flower consists of 3 sepals and 3 petals, one of which, which is very different, is called the lip. This part of the flower is often striking in orchids. The lip of Red Sunset is broad, pale red and marked with yellow folds, while the other parts of the flower are light pink to deep red. The plant forms only a few runners. In winter, it goes into dormancy when the foliage has turned completely yellow. In favorable climates, plant Calanthe Red Sunset in partial shade, sheltered from the wind, in light, humus-rich soil that should be neutral to slightly acidic. Plant it in the shade in a cool quarry, between stones or at the edge of cool undergrowth, in the company of Arisaema, Cypripedium, Paris, Bletilla, and ferns. Combining it with an Asian fern such as Athyrium niponicum var. pictum Red Beauty, which is burgundy-red washed and veined, produces a very attractive result, as does combining it with Trillium sessile. Due to its moderate winter hardiness, the rootstock should be protected from severe frosts and moisture. This plant thrives in large pots that are overwintered in a cold greenhouse. Calanthe is a genus in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). It is widespread in the tropics of Asia, Africa, and Central America. Most species grow terrestrially on forest floors, while some are epiphytes. Due to its beautiful flowers, it is also called the beauty orchid. The genus Calanthe can be divided into two subgenera. The subgenus Calanthe, with the type species Calanthe veratrifolia, comprises evergreen plants without pseudobulbs. In the subgenus Preptanthe, on the other hand, the plants have storage organs and survive dry periods by shedding their leaves. Description All species of this genus form densely packed shoots with limited growth. The shoot axis can be long and cylindrical or compressed and thickened into pseudobulbs. These consist of several internodes and are covered with leaves along their entire length. The leaves are elongated oval, thin, and folded along the numerous prominent leaf veins. The species with pseudobulbs are deciduous, while those without storage organs are evergreen. The upright inflorescence appears laterally from the shoot axis or from its base. It is racemose and bears many resupinate flowers. These are usually conspicuously pink, white, or yellow in color. Bracts, ovaries, and petals may be hairy. The three sepals and the lateral petals are free and not fused into a tube. The lip is two- or four-lobed, with a spur at the base. In the middle of the lip there is often a warty, fleshy callus consisting of several keels. The column is fused with the lip at least at the base, but often along its entire length. The stamen is terminal and contains eight waxy pollinia. Distribution The species of the genus Calanthe are pantropical. The center of diversity is Southeast Asia, but several species also occur in Africa and Madagascar. One species, Calanthe calanthoides, is widespread in Central America. Many species grow terrestrially in the shade of forests, often at higher altitudes up to 3200 meters. Cultivation Due to their relatively large, colorful flowers, some species are found in cultivation. Depending on the origin of the species, different requirements apply. For example, evergreen species need to be watered all year round, while deciduous species need a dry dormant period. Calanthe species are often infested with spider mites, especially in dry heated air. When the flowers freeze, they turn blue because indigo is formed.

Growing tips

Calanthe Red Sunset prefers sheltered environments, partial shade, thick and well-aerated humus in wooded areas, slightly moist soil from spring to the end of summer, drier in winter. The rhizome will rot in winter moisture, especially if it freezes heavily. Place it in partial shade at the edge of large trees, with the west being the best orientation. In heavy soil, add 1/3 leaf soil and 1/3 non-calcareous gravel mixed with your garden soil to a depth and width of 40 cm. In regions with cold winters, winter protection against the cold, but also against moisture, is essential. To do this, place a 20 cm thick layer of leaves or chopped bark on the stump and, if necessary, a waterproof cover over it. Growing in pots or window boxes is perfectly possible, in a mixture of 60% peat soil, 20% garden soil and 20% coarse sand. Terrestrial Calanthes are quite demanding during the vegetation period: weekly fertilization with geranium fertilizer in half dosage from mid-May to mid-September will be very beneficial. Location Light: Partial shade to shade, no direct midday sun. Soil: Rich in humus, loose, well-drained; special orchid soil or enriched with compost/bark mulch. Humidity: High, especially in summer; spray occasionally. Planting Time: Spring or fall, container plants possible all year round (except in frost or extreme heat). Depth: Plant rhizomes flat, root ball flush with soil surface. Pot culture: Pot with good drainage, at least 30-40 cm in diameter. Care Watering: Growth phase (spring-autumn): regular, keep soil slightly moist. Winter dormancy: water considerably less, but do not allow to dry out completely. Fertilization: During the growing season 2-3 times a week with orchid fertilizer at half the recommended dose. Do not fertilize in winter. Overwintering: Many species are hardy down to -10 to -15 °C. Protection from winter dampness with mulch or brushwood is more important than frost protection. Keep potted plants frost-free or protected. Special features Flowering time: spring to summer, depending on the species; flower panicles with many individual flowers. Deciduous or winter-green: some species retain leaves, others retract in winter. Propagation: Division of the rhizomes in spring or fall.

Details

Light requirement

Semi-shaded

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Light germinator

Germination temperature

20 - 25 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

40 cm

Row spacing

40 cm

Seeding depth

0.2 cm