Gymnadenia rhellicani — a hard houseplant, prefers partial sun light
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Gymnadenia rhellicani

Gymnadenia Rhellicani

Updated · 19 observations
ON THIS PLANT

Gymnadenia rhellicani (common name: dark vanilla orchid or black vanilla orchid) is a European species of orchid.

A note from PlantMom

Dark vanilla orchid typically exhibits good disease resistance and faces relatively few insect pests. Its care is considered difficult because it needs very high humidity combined with good ventilation and low levels of harmful pathogens. Too much watering can cause root rot. Although anyone can grow Dark vanilla orchid, keeping it healthy and getting it to bloom again requires more experience in cultivation.

— PlantMom
CARE GUIDE

How to keep Gymnadenia Rhellicani.

Light

The dark vanilla orchid naturally occurs in habitats like forest understories and rocky areas, where it grows in natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can adjust to full sun or full shade, demonstrating its versatility and hardiness.

Water

The dark vanilla orchid thrives with adequate moisture but can tolerate occasional drought. During the summer, water the plant weekly, and in the fall and winter, reduce watering to every 10 days. To maintain humidity, mist the plant during dry weather. It's best to use water with a neutral pH; you can achieve this by storing tap or rainwater, allowing any dissolved substances to settle out.

Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Dark vanilla orchid is in early spring, as it is coming out of dormancy and beginning active growth. Fertilization supplies essential nutrients for healthy development. Although the Dark vanilla orchid has fairly low fertilizer requirements, applying fertilizer annually can improve its survival and encourage better, longer-lasting flowers.

Pruning

The dark vanilla orchid is an orchid species celebrated for its fragrant flowers. For optimal care, prune the plant in early spring, concentrating on removing dead stems and withered flowers. This encourages reblooming. Be sure to limit pruning to maintain the orchid's shape. Proper pruning also promotes healthy growth and improves air circulation, reducing the risk of disease.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Gymnadenia
Family
Orchidaceae
Hardiness Zone
4-8
Mature Height
10 cm to 30 cm
Mature Spread
5 cm to 10 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 0.76 cm
Bloom Time
Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring
Harvest Time
Late summer, Early fall
FREQUENTLY ASKED

Reader questions.

What is the common name of Gymnadenia rhellicani?

The common name of Gymnadenia rhellicani is Dark vanilla orchid.

What is the botanical name of the Dark vanilla orchid?

The botanical name of the Dark vanilla orchid is Gymnadenia rhellicani.

PLATES
Gymnadenia rhellicani leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Gymnadenia rhellicani flower
PLATE 02 · flower
Gymnadenia rhellicani flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Gymnadenia rhellicani bark
PLATE 04 · bark
Gymnadenia rhellicani bark
PLATE 05 · bark
Gymnadenia rhellicani habit
PLATE 06 · habit
ALSO IN THE LIBRARY

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