Pheladenia deformis
blue fairy orchid
Overview
Pheladenia deformis is a small deciduous terrestrial orchid that grows from an underground tuber and reaches 5-20 cm (2-8 in) tall in flower, native to southern Australia. Each plant produces a single narrow, hairy basal leaf 3-8 cm (1.2-3.1 in) long in autumn, followed by a slender stem bearing one upward-facing flower. The flower is 1.5-3 cm (0.6-1.2 in) across, blue to mauve with darker veining and a fringed central labellum marked white and yellow, opening from late autumn through spring. After flowering the plant sets dust-like seed and dies back to the dormant tuber over summer. It grows in woodland, heath, and seasonally moist depressions on sandy or loamy soils, and depends on specific soil fungi for germination and growth. This fungal dependence makes it difficult to cultivate and to transplant, so it is rarely grown outside specialist orchid collections. Plants need winter and spring moisture during active growth and a warm, dry rest in summer; disturbance of the tuber or loss of the fungal partner usually causes decline.
Native Range
Native to southern Australia, recorded in Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania, where it grows in open forest, woodland, heath, and seasonally damp depressions on sandy and loamy soils.Suggested Uses
Grown mainly as a specimen in specialist terrestrial-orchid collections and pots rather than general garden beds. In its native range it features in conservation and bushland-restoration interest. Displayed where the small seasonal flower can be seen at close range.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 8"
Width/Spread2" - 4"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from late autumn through spring, roughly June to November depending on district, each plant opening a single blue to mauve flower that lasts one to three weeks. Flowering is more reliable in the season after a warm, dry summer dormancy. Plants may skip flowering in dry years.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to mauveFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
In the wild this orchid relies on native soil fungi, which makes it hard to establish in gardens and unsuitable for transplanting from the bush. Where grown by specialists, it is kept in a free-draining sandy mix and given moisture through autumn, winter, and spring while in leaf and flower. Watering is withheld over summer to give the tuber a warm, dry dormancy. Strong fertiliser and rich soils are avoided, as the plant is adapted to lean ground. Collecting plants or tubers from the wild is restricted and damages populations.Pruning
No pruning is needed. The single flower stem and leaf wither naturally as the plant enters summer dormancy and can be removed once fully dry. Seed pods may be left to ripen if natural increase is wanted.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons