Botanical name:

Thelymitra hatchii

Common name(s):

Hatch’s sun orchid

About:

T. hatchii is also fairly easy to cultivate and grow in suitable environments, and it features small, delicate violet-coloured flowers accented with a subtle touch of yellow. As with other native orchids, they can be quite challenging to obtain due to their rarity in the wild and the specific growing conditions they require.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to subalpine up to 1300m. Only coastal in southern part of range. Favouring clay banks, gravel, and open clay pans. Often in short scrub or fringing peat bogs and tarns. Preferring well lighted places.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Clay, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North, South and Stewart Islands.

Height: 60cm

Flowering: 

November – March with a pinkish red to violet – purple coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

December - April

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Riparian plantings

How to grow:

Very easily grown in a sunny, well drained site. Often naturalises in gardens within urban areas abutting indigenous vegetation. Although easily cultivated, like all orchids it should not be removed from the wild.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. Sow seed direct & keep moist until germination is complete.