Fragrant Orchid
Peacock Orchids -- the Fragrant, Rare Un-Orchid
If you're looking for an uncommon "orchid" variety, one that stands out among the hosts of more common fragrant flowers, you'll be in for a special treat by cultivating "Peacock Orchids" - a fairly rare, fragrant flower which, despite the best efforts of its misleading name, is not an orchid at all!
Also known as Acidanthera, Peacock Orchids are not nearly as common as their kissing cousins gladiolus and iris, yet they're extremely easy to grow and thrive in all types of gardens, especially in plant hardiness zones 7a to 11 where they're inground perennials. Elsewhere the corms (bulbs) can be lifted and stored til the following planting season.
Peacock Orchids boast a star-shaped white flower that can reach 4 inches in diameter, atop a single stem surrounded by swordlike leaves. The center of the flower is either chocolate brown or maroon to purple. The flowers emit a wonderfully delicious "clean" fragrance, and may grow up to 3-3.5 feet tall.
For those outside the above-listed hardiness zones, the ideal planting time for Peacock Orchids is during the Spring after all danger of freezing has passed -- and exposure to lots of sun is paramount!
Soil must be light and well-draining for these orchids to bloom. Blooming time is usually very late August/early September, and lasts for several weeks into the fall!
Because they reach a substantial height, one might best plant them at the back of the garden so that they do not overshadow those plants that are not as tall.
Those of you concerned with deer and other animals invading your gardens will be pleased to learn that Peacock Orchids are unpalatable to these garden marauders.
Let's look at some basic growing tips a but further. Peacock Orchids thrive in full sunlight, at least six hours per day, yet they tolerate well some shade in the afternoon. The soil should be mildly acidic, with a pH of 6.1 to 7.0, and keeping the soil slightly moist at all times is recommended.
However, never plant these flowers where the soil remains soggy! Peacock Orchids detest such conditions, and will simply refuse to bloom, or even rot and die.
Because they also don't tolerate temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, those in cold climates may propagate them initially indoors starting around February, and transplant them later outside into the garden when the weather is more tolerable.
Upon planting the corms (bulbs), note that they are preferably set three inches deep, with a space of three to four inches in between. Just another tip: for unknown reasons it is best to group them in odd numbers - with around five or seven leading to the best results.
Peacock Orchids make great cut flowers! They'll last up to two weeks indoors in a vase, so they're excellent candidates for festive or formal occasions, and their fragrance merely adds to their visual value.
To make a fantastic container/indoor garden, you should plant the corms in the middle of a large pot. Fill them with draping annuals such as bocapa and vinca vine as well as other tall annuals like dracaena to build yourself a stunning architectural effect.
About the Author
James Wesneski has been growing Peacock Orchids (Acidanthera) for over 5 years. He is the owner of www.MyPeacockOrchid.com
and MyOneDollarGarden
Trichoglottis brachiata a dark red Philippines specie orchid in blooming
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