Thelychiton speciosus (Rock orchid, Rock lily)

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Plant description

Thelychiton speciosus, or rock lily, is a popular and easy to grow Australain native orchid. It bears showy racemes of cream flowers with purple spotted throats in spring. It naturally grows as a lithophyte, growing on rocks, or sometimes as an epiphyte, growing on the trunk or branches of trees. It is not well adapted to growing well in normal soil, so should be grown in a position that is similar to the natural conditions. It can be grown in a pot with a good orchid mix. They can also be attached to logs or branches, or in rock crevices or shelves, with a good amount of leaf litter, bark chips or orchid mix placed around the roots. It likes a spot in dappled shade. It is not frost tolerant.

Propagation is by division of the clump. A spade or sharp instrument may be neeeded to separate the clump, as the plant is tough.

Thelychiton speciosus used to be known as Dendrobium speciosum.

Further reading: Australian Native Orchids (an article written by native plant expert Angus Stewart).

Additional plant information

Flowers

Flower colour: cream, white
Flowering season: spring

Plant size

Maximum height: 0.5 metres
Minimum height: not specified

Maximum width: not specified
Minimum width: not specified

Sunlight, frost & salt tolerance

Will tolerate partial sunlight.
Light frost tolerance.
Plant is not salt tolerant.

Fauna attracting?

Yes. Attracts: Native bees.

Climate

This plant species will grow in the following climates: temperate, subtropical, tropical.

Soil types & conditions

Loam: not specified.

Clay: not specified.

Sand: not specified.

Miscellaneous information

Native to: Australia.

Planting season: Any.

Types of fertiliser: not specified.

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