Skip to content Distribution:
The genus, as defined by CAJ Kreutz (2024), contains eleven species. Its distribution is temperate to Euro-Mediterranean, ranging from Morocco to Iran and the Caucasus, northwest to Ireland, and north to Norway.
Plant Description:
Inflorescences 10 to 30 cm tall, with a rosette of leaves. *Herorchis* has small to medium-sized, numerous flowers. The labellum always bears a spur. The petals form a more or less closed hood. All species are pollinated by insects. *Herorchis* differs from *Anacamptis* by its loose inflorescence.
Cultivation:
All species are easy to cultivate. The plants require a summer dormancy and survive as small tubers. The leaves appear in late summer or even autumn. The plants flower in spring or early summer. Cultivate in as much sun as possible. Frost hardiness varies between species. Hardy down to -6°C (Mediterranean species and varieties) or down to -18°C (Central European species and varieties). Regular watering during the growing season is essential for successful cultivation in containers. Watering is reduced once flowers appear and finally stopped completely once the plants go dormant. Potted plants should be kept completely dry during dormancy. However, small plants and seedlings should receive occasional watering during the summer to prevent them from drying out. Plants grown in the garden need very well-drained soil; then even summer rain won't harm them. If the plants are kept indoors, they should be temporarily moved outdoors in late summer. Cool nights and some rain will end their summer dormancy and stimulate new growth.
Recommended soil mixtures:
50% wood fiber mixed with 50% commercial potting soil or mineral (80%–90%), depending on availability. Volcanic substrate, Seramis, pumice with 10%–20% organic components are also suitable. Wood fiber, TKS1, Floraton 3, or similar propagation substrates are recommended. The substrate must be well-draining with a pH of approximately 6.
Recommended reading:
Orchideen im Garten: Use, care and propagation. Gerd Kohls and Ulrich Kähler, 1993. Parey ISBN 3 489 636244.
Orchideen für den Garten: European and tropical terrestrial orchids. Alfons Bürger, 1992. Ulmer ISBN 3 8001 64876. Die Orchideen Mitteleuropas und der Alpen. Presser Helmut, 1995. ecomed, ISBN 3 609 65600 X
Das Moor im eigenen Garten: Creating, designing and maintaining moorland gardens. Erich Maier, 2000. Parey, ISBN 3 8263 3301 2.
Hardy orchids. Phillip Cribb and Christopher Bailes, 1989. Timber Pr. ISBN 0 88192 147 5.
Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East., Pierre Delforge, 2006. A&C Black Publishers Ltd. ISBN-13 978-0-7136-7525-2.
