Dactylorhiza foliosa
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Dactylorhiza foliosa

Richly-Leaved Dactylorhiza · Madeira orchid

Tier 2 Difficulty: hard Water: high Light: partial_sun
Temperature
10–35 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 6–9
Click count
12
Observations
86

Description

Source: leafsnap

Dactylorhiza foliosa, the Madeira orchid or leafy orchid, is a species of flowering plant in the family Orchidaceae, endemic to the Portuguese Island of Madeira in the eastern Atlantic Ocean. It is a tuberous herbaceous perennial growing to 60 cm (24 in) and producing spikes of intense, magenta-pink flowers in late spring.This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (confirmed 2017).

Care Guide

💧 Water

The dactylorhiza, known for its lush foliage, thrives in moist environments similar to its native damp woodlands. It prefers consistently moist conditions and needs to be watered every 1-2 weeks. When grown outdoors in temperate regions, it enjoys the benefit of rainwater during the growing season, which supports its optimal health.

☀️ Light Partial sun

Richly leaved dactylorhiza is native to habitats like forest understories and rocky areas, where it grows in natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can tolerate full sun or full shade, showing its versatile and hardy nature.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 10–35°C

Richly leaved dactylorhiza can tolerate a wide span of temperatures, but its range may nevertheless be restricted by particular mixes of moisture and heat. It performs best in warm summer conditions with enough rainfall or supplemental watering. Long periods of cloudy, rainy weather or sustained high temperatures can raise the risk of Richly leaved dactylorhiza dying. In winter, suitable protection from cold can boost the plant’s survival chances.

Ideal temperature: 10–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Richly leaved dactylorhiza is in early spring, when it is coming out of dormancy and starting active growth. Fertilization supplies essential nutrients for healthy development. Although the Richly leaved dactylorhiza requires relatively little fertilizer, giving it fertilizer once a year can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting flowers.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Dactylorhiza, known for its lush foliage, requires minimal pruning. Focus on removing dead or damaged stems in early spring. After the flowers bloom, cut back the flower spikes to direct energy towards the roots. Regularly clearing away old foliage promotes regrowth. Proper timing of these tasks enhances the plant's vitality and flowering efficiency, ensuring a robust display and overall health.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Dactylorhiza
Family
Orchidaceae
Hardiness Zone
6-9
Mature Height
76 cm
Mature Spread
30 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Purple, Pink
Flower Size
2.03 cm to 3.05 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer

Tags (6)

Common Names (2)

en Richly-Leaved Dactylorhiza
en Madeira orchid