Eulophia graminea Chinese Crown Orchid

50-100 Seeds

Best Planting Time

• Best started during the cool season in the Gulf:
  • October to March
• Established plants can tolerate warmer temperatures, but seedlings require milder conditions.

Growing Medium

Use a well-drained terrestrial orchid mix consisting of:

• Fine orchid bark
• Coarse sand
• Perlite
• Coconut coir or peat moss
• Small amount of compost

The medium should remain airy, moisture-retentive, and free-draining.

Sowing Method

• Orchid seeds are extremely fine and dust-like.
• For best germination, sow on a sterile orchid seed germination medium.
• Scatter seeds evenly on the surface.
• Do not cover with soil.
• Maintain sterile and humid conditions throughout germination.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature:
  • 22–28°C
• Ideal growing temperature:
  • 18–35°C
• Requires:
  • Bright filtered light
  • Morning sun
  • Partial shade during hot afternoons

Humidity

• Ideal humidity:
  • 50–70%
• Moderate humidity is sufficient for mature plants.
• Young seedlings benefit from higher humidity.

Watering

• Keep the medium evenly moist during active growth.
• Allow slight drying between waterings once established.
• Reduce watering during dormancy if foliage dies back.
• Avoid waterlogged soil.

Germination Time

• Under sterile conditions:
  • 4–12 weeks or longer
• Seedlings grow slowly and may take several months before transplanting.

Transplanting

• Transplant when seedlings have:
  • Several true leaves
  • Healthy roots or young pseudobulbs
• Space mature plants:
  • 25–40 cm apart

Flowering

• Plants grown from seed typically require:
  • 3–5 years to reach flowering size
• Produces attractive green to yellowish flowers with purple markings on tall flower spikes.

Gulf Climate Tips

• One of the most heat-tolerant terrestrial orchids.
• Best grown in:
  • Shade houses
  • Greenhouses
  • Protected garden beds
  • Large containers
• Protect from temperatures above 40°C.
• Provide afternoon shade during summer.
• Increase watering frequency during hot, dry periods while maintaining good drainage.
• Suitable for orchid enthusiasts and collectors of unusual flowering plants.