Hemipilia kwangsiensis

Hemipilia kwangsiensis is a rare terrestrial orchid native to the limestone mountains of Guangxi, China.

Care Tips:

• Light: Provide bright but diffused / filtered light. Avoid direct harsh sunlight. Under forest canopy or in shade with dappled light is ideal.

• Temperature: Moderate to warm during growing season; likely tolerates a bit cooler (especially nights) given its mid-elevation habitat. Avoid extremes of heat and cold.

• Humidity: Moderate to high humidity is important. Since it naturally grows in forest floor zones on limestone rock slopes, humidity around the substrate and in the air helps.

• Substrate / Soil: Use a well-draining mix with good moisture retention, possibly with components like small limestone chips (or calcium-bearing stones), leaf litter, bark, pumice or perlite. Mimic its native limestone rock environment to some degree.

• Watering: Keep substrate consistently moist during active growth. Don’t let it dry out completely. During non-active periods (outside flowering or dormancy) reduce watering slightly but avoid letting tubers rot.

• Flowering: Since it flowers in August, ensure that prior to that, conditions are favorable (light, water, nutrients) so the plant builds enough energy.