Growing Leptotes bicolor

This beautiful species is an epiphyte originating from Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

It occurs in subtropical rainforests at elevations of 500-900 metres.

The flowers have a vanilla fragrance, and while researching about this orchid, I understand that in Brazil , extracts from the seed pods have been used to flavour milk and ice cream, exactly as we use vanilla. Who would have thought that this was possible?

It grows for me hanging outside under 50% shade cloth on a piece of cork , where it receives a lot of water in warmer months and is watered a couple of times a week during cooler periods.

Fertilising is done weekly with Peters Calmag and once a month with Strike Back for Orchids. The only pest that I have known to attack Leptotes is Boisduval Scale which, if not noticed early is probably the worst pest of all. It has to be treated with a systemic insecticide to control it .

I have another plant growing on tree fern fibre and it is growing quite well but my preference would be cork. This plant is available for sale occasionally and if you want one the Plant Shack Nursery at Deception Bay has some.

There are many great orchids that you can grow but Leptotes bicolor is a worthy addition to any collection and when it is grown into a specimen it will put a show that is the envy of all.

Good growing - David