Description
Goodyera – Jewel Orchid –
There are about 40 species of evergreen, rarely deciduous, terrestrial, rhizomatous orchids, in this genus. They are widely distributed in temperate areas except Africa, occurring in forest leaf litter. They produce basal rosettes of ovate to lance shaped, veined leaves, which may be furry and patterned in a contrasting color and are usually more attractive than the small to medium white flowers that are held in erect, narrow spike or racemes on upright stems, mainly in summer. Stems may carry dozens of the hooded blooms. Grow hardy species in a woodland garden. Tender species can be grown in an alpine house or cool greenhouse.
Outdoors, grow in sandy, humus rich, well drained, acidic soil in a sheltered site in partial shade. Feed 2 or 3 times from mid spring to late summer with a dilute solution of liquid organic fertilizer.(see chart below)
Prone to aphids, spider mites, and mealy bugs.
