Sowing and Growing of Poor Man's Orchid

The poor man's orchid, also known as Schizanthus, gets its name from the fact that its flowers resemble those of an orchid. This annual, up to 40 cm tall, blooms with pretty white, purple and pink flowers. It is a bedding plant belonging to the nightshade family. The colourful, cheerful plant is suitable for borders, but also does well in flower pots for the balcony or terrace.
Sowing and growing poor man’s orchid
Poor man's orchid, with the Latin name Schizanthus , is an annual, beautifully flowering plant that fits into any border. The plant is native to Chile, where it is a perennial. In our climate, it is grown as an annual. It is a bushy plant with fern-like leaves and clusters of small orchid-like flowers. Because the flowers are reminiscent of those of orchids, it is called a poor man’s orchid. This little plant is resistant to temperature changes and can withstand both light frost and high temperatures. This allows them to be planted early.
Sowing poor man’s orchid
Sowing can be done in a greenhouse from mid-March to mid-April, and 5 to 6 weeks later the plants can be planted out. It is also possible to sow directly in the garden, in the desired spot, from mid-April to the end of May.
Position and soil
In the open ground, the poor man's orchid prefers semi-shade. If necessary, they can also be placed in the sun. In pots, the plant can also be placed in partial shade, but they do better in a sunny spot. Make sure there is enough space around the plant so that it can dry out after rain. This prevents the plant from getting sick or rotting. The soil should be permeable and rich in humus.
Direct to the Poor Mans Orchid Seeds >
How to care for your poor man’s orchid plants
It is important to water regularly, preferably not on the foliage. Broken flowers or damaged foliage should be removed as this can lead to the plant rotting. Fertilise the plant regularly with a nitrogen fertiliser suitable for flowers.
Are poor man’s orchids bee- and/or butterfly-friendly?
The poor man's orchid attracts bees and butterflies. So this plant is a great addition to a bee and butterfly garden.
Poor man’s orchid in the vegetable garden
Because the poor man's orchid attracts many bees and other pollinators, it is suitable for the vegetable garden. After all, this way vegetables and fruits are also pollinated.
Are poor man’s orchids edible and/or medicinal?
The poor man's orchid is neither edible nor medicinal.
Poor man’s orchid seeds in our collection
In our range, we have a seed mixture of the poor man's orchid called ‘Angel Wings’ with beautiful white, pink and purple shades.
Tips
- When watering, make sure the leaves do not get wet. This prevents the leaves from rotting.
- Give the plant enough space so that the leaves can dry after rain.