3x Pleione 'Tongariro' purple

Protect these plants in the ground outdoors from frost, by covering them with a layer of leaf litter. A plate of glass over the roots will prevent them becoming too wet. You can plant your Pleione 'Tongariro' in the spring in flower pots, window-boxes or in the ground. If you would prefer to plant your Pleione 'Tongariro' in a pot, then choose a large pot with holes in the base and cover the bottom with a layer of broken pot or gravel. Improve your soil by mixing in some hydro pellets, compost, and granulated cow manure. Put the soil mixture in the pot and plant the root ball of the Pleione 'Tongariro' at the appropriate depth, spaced approximately 5 cm apart. Fill with soil and press firmly. Water immediately after planting. Tip: line a porous pot with plastic or use a pot liner. This prevents evaporation which will allow the soil to remain moist for longer. If you are planting your Pleione 'Tongariro' in the ground, then space them a little further apart. Pleione 'Tongariro' grows best in a cool, shady spot.

Use rainwater (preferably) to spray your Pleione 'Tongariro' and keep the surrounding soil continually moist throughout the summer. Add liquid fertiliser to the watering can regularly when in bloom. Pleione 'Tongariro' in winter Pleione 'Tongariro' often develops pseudo bulbs at its base, slightly above the ground indicating that the plant requires a dormant period. Water it less in the autumn until all the foliage has died off. Store the plant in a pot in a dry, frost-free area. When the buds are about 1 cm high (February or March) pot up in fresh potting compost, add a little water and stand in the living room. The buds will continue to develop. Water sparingly until the leaves show. You can now add some plant food when watering your Pleione 'Tongariro'. Once flowering is over, the whole pot can do outdoors as long as there is no more frost.
Plants kept outdoors in the winter should be given frost (and water) protection. When in the garden, use a thick layer of leaf litter and cover with a sheet of glass to keep the rain off.

Pleione 'Tongariro' is a dwarf orchid from Tibet, also known as the peacock orchid. The lanceolate leaves are ribbed and appear only after the flowers. This fairytale-like plant can be enjoyed as a house plant indoors too (although generally speaking it is an outdoor plant). After flowering the plant can go outside. A cool spot in the rock garden is also ideal for this little orchid.