MOST IMPORTANT SPECIFIC CULTIVATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR OPHRYS AND OTHER MEDITERRANEAN SPECIES

Temperature ; Most species and hybrids are frost resistant and withstand temperatures between minus 5 and plus 35 °C . They are all winter growing and summer dormant .

Light ; We recommend full sunlight in growing stage , from autumn to spring and shade during dormancy in summer.

Humidity ; Even moist - , never wet ,conditions when growing .Best to put them outside in full sunlight en let September rains initiate growing . Never let them dry out in growing period this results in the plants going into dormancy too early . During summer rest , keep them almost dry , very few sprayings , equal to what they should get from morning dew .

Compost ; Depending on the species , with or without limestone or oyster shells . Mixes need to be very well drained with few water retentive substances . Mixture of pumice gravel and stone chips fifty/ fifty , and some organic free loam or clay , no more than 10 % .As organics , one may use some coco peat or freshly fallen oak or beech-leaves no more than 5 % .

Repotting ; Best in July or august . Use oversized containers and keep them several years in the same pots .

Water quality ; Rainwater is advisable , otherwise good quality tap water chlorine free . Let rainwater wash away any salt build up in September in order to use new fertiliser once the new growth is well developed .

Fertiliser ; Little , a few grains long-term –slow-release fertiliser per pot away from the growths , applied fist part of November .

Protection ; Some species are sensitive . The worst treat is water in the crown during cold dark and wet days . Some preventive protection with systemic fungicides is more than likely when alpine houses or greenhouses are kept close during frost days . Otherwise , give them as much air and light as you can . Sometimes aphides need to be controlled as well .