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"Growing Hardy Evergreen Calanthe" Please be patient while this page loads! Author: Mr. Frikkie Marais.
Calanthe Display. Photograph curtesy of Shikoku Garden - Japan Introduction: Mention orchids, and everybody thinks about tropical orchids which need to be grown in greenhouses. Well, it is a mistake to suppose that all orchids need to be grown in these heated glasshouses under carefully controled conditions. Lots of orchids from the temperate climes can be grown successfully with very little care and minimal effort in the colder parts of South Africa. The evergreen hardy and half-hardy Calanthes are such plants, which together with their hybrids are some of the most rewarding of all garden-worthy orchids. Etymology and Botany: The name Calanthe is derived from Greek; Kalos, beautiful, and anthos, flower, referring to the showy flowers. There are about 120, mainly terrestrial species, in the genus. Some are deciduous like C. discolor. Of special interest is that this genus was the first orchids to be hybridised resulting in the hybrids C. Dominiyi and C. Veitchii. The evergreen and deciduous types differ from each other in that they have different chromosomes and do not hybridise between the two groups as well as the fact that one group looses their leaves in fall and the other one not. The deciduous Calanthes flower from the base of the pseudobulb, while dormant, and the evergreen Calanthes flower from the centre of the new growth. History: Hardy evergreen Calanthes are very popular in Japan and even warrants its own society; the Japanese Calanthean Society. The Japanese name for this section in the genus is "EBINE"; meaning shrimp root because the tubers apparently look like a shrimps. Evidence exists that they were grown to a lesser degree during the Edo period around 1603-1687. The growing methods for these plants were described in the first Japanese gardening book "KADAN KOUMOKU" as early as 1681. However, it is only during the past 35 years that the cultivation of these Calanthes became exceedingly popular. The hardy evergreen Calanthes hybridises easily with other species in the group and a number of natural hybrids exist in nature where habitats overlap. After the establishment of the Japanese Calanthean Society in 1973 professional and hobby growers contributed greatly to popularise these orchids by making many beautiful hybrids. Cultivation: Some evergreen Calanthes need tropical to sub-tropical growing conditions e.g. C. triplicata, but the ones I elaborate on here comes from temperate woodland Japan and China and do not need high minimum growing temperatures. Plants generally grow on slopes in deep to semi-shaded localities in Cryptomeria woodland on the humus-rich floor. To successfully grow these undemanding orchids the following should be provided: Compost: Any humus-rich compost with good drainage will do. I have had success with the following compost:
2 parts seedling mix (a very fine composted bark mixture) 2 parts sifted mature compost 1 part organic peat 1 part sharp sand or grit for good drainage
Mix in one cup of blood and bone meal with every 25dm (+/- 1 wheelbarrow full).
If the above is not available success can also be had with an ordinary fine bark mix and crushed stone/grit. Rockwool (Steinmix) is also an option where growing conditions are controlled.
Light:
In South Africa with its strong light levels plants should be well shaded and only receive filtered sunlight like our own indigenous Clivia miniata. If the leaves are light to yellow-green in colour shading should be increased. However, if the plants are shy to flower light levels should be increased in summer when plants are in active growth.
Temperature:
The different species and hybrids are all hardy to different temperatures, all except C. izu-insularis are hardy to below 0°. C. tricarinata resents high temperatures and should not be exposed to temperatures above 25°C for extended periods.
Fertilising:
Plants should only be fertilised during active growth with a half to quarter-strength balanced organic or inorganic fertiliser every week. Never fertilise a dry plant, make sure you water it first before applying any fertiliser.
Watering:
The hardy evergreen Calanthes should never be allowed to dry out completely. The growing medium should be constantly moist but never wet.
A selection of hardy species and hybrids
Calanthe discolor. Photograph curtesy of Shikoku Garden - Japan
Calanthe discolor is one of the most widespread species of this group and the easiest to grow as well. Plants of this species are very vigorous and hardy and flowers can be expected on small plants. It has several beautiful colour variations, which vary from dark purple, maroon to the rare green and yellow. The lips are usually white to light pink. The flowers are about 3.5 - 5cm in diameter.
Calanthe HIZEN hybrid. Photograph curtesy of Shikoku Garden - Japan
Calanthe HIZEN hybrid (C. discolor x C. aristulifera) is a vigorous and hardy hybrid with pastel-coloured flowers with contrasting lips. Colours can vary from white to pale yellow and even pale purple.
Calanthe KOZU hybrid: Photograph curtesy of Shikoku Garden - Japan
Calanthe KOZU hybrid (C. discolor x C. izu-insularis) is described as one of the best Calanthe hybrids available in a wide colour range. An added bonus is the pleasant fragrance inherited from C. izu-insularis. Plants are hardy and very rigorous.
Calanthe sieboldii. Photograph curtesy of Shikoku Garden - Japan
Calanthe sieboldii is a medium to large size species with flowers from 5-8cm in diameter. The flowers are vibrant yellow, which forms a nice contrast if established in shady gardens. This species is extensively used in breeding to improve the flower size of the hybrids as well as to introduce the yellow colour.
Calanthe TAKANE hybrid. Photograph curtesy of Shikoku Garden - Japan
Calanthe TAKANE hybrid (C. discolor x C. sieboldii) is another beautiful hybrid with large flowers available in a very wide colour range. This is another vigorous and easy to grow hybrid.
Calanthe tricarinata. Photograph curtesy of Shikoku Garden - Japan
Calanthe tricarinata is a medium sized very hardy species with exquisite 4-6cm apple green flowers with contrasting red lips. This is the hardiest species of all and regularly withstands temperatures as low as -10ºC and covered by snow. The Japanese name for this species is "Sarumen ebine" referring to the lip that resembles the face of a monkey.
Conclusion:
I hope that I have tempted you to seek and grow these wonderful hardy orchids. I'm sure that they will make excellent specimen plants for the veranda as well as the shade house, where they can utilise unused space under the benches in a shady cool buoyant atmosphere.
Acknowledgements:
I would like to thank Mr. Takuya Izumi from Shikoku Garden in Japan for information and pictures. Shikoku Garden is a specialised family nursery featuring exclusive and rarely offered plants mostly for the shade garden. They always hope to serve the serious gardener who have moved beyond the most common offerings, and are looking for a garden adventure with great plants that are still not well known. Their mission is to popularise and sell correctly named, blooming size plants that are nursery-propagated and grown. They are CITES certified for a number of orchid genera, and maintain their own lab for flasking seedlings and producing virus-free plants.
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