clamshell orchid
Also known as: cockle orchid
A species orchid to 45cm tall with flattened pear-shaped pseudobulbs bearing lance-shaped leaves 20-35cm long and long-lasting, ribbon-like flowers with pale-green petals and dark-purple lips, flushed yellowish-green, with white bases deeply-veined purple to 8cm long, borne intermittently over a long period
Scientific classification
- Species
- clamshell orchid (Prosthechea cochleata)
- Genus
- Prosthechea
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Information to be completed
- Toxicity
- Houseplants · Conservatory Greenhouse
- Plant type
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- Evergreen
- Foliage
- Columnar upright
- Habit
- Spring · Summer · Autumn · Winter
- Season of interest
- Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
clamshell orchid pictures
Distribution of clamshell orchid
Distribution map
Southern Florida, Caribbean, Mexico to Northern South America
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Culture
Information to be completed
Toxicity
Information to be completed
Quick identification of clamshell orchid
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clamshell orchid care guide
- Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
- Watering
- Partial shade
- Sunlight
- Information to be completed
- Ideal temperature
Watering
Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Fertilizing
FertilizingBalanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer
Pruning
PruningNo pruning required; remove spent flowers as necessary
Propagation
PropagationPropagate by division when plants overfill the container
Growing
GrowingGrow in an open epiphytic compost with bright filtered light, and when in active growth during spring and summer, water sparingly but regularly and apply orchid fertiliser at every third or fourth watering; keep dry in winter
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Common pests and diseases
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
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