Calanthe striata ("Kiebine")

Japanese name: キエビネ （黄蝦根）
Scientific name: Calanthe striata

[Overview]
An evergreen perennial 30–50 cm tall, found in laurel forests.
It has round pseudobulbs underground.
2–3 leaves emerge; they are broadly elliptic to elliptic, 20–30 cm long and 5–10 cm wide, with a pointed tip and entire margins.
The leaves have longitudinal wrinkles.
The leaves stand upright while young, but later fall over and touch the ground.
A raceme at the tip of a flower stalk emerging from the center of the new leaves carries about 10 flowers.
The flowers are yellow, about 3 cm across.
The outer tepals are ovate-elliptic, and the lateral petals are slightly smaller.
The lip is fan-shaped, deeply 3-lobed at the tip, with 3 raised ridges in the center.
The spur is shorter than the sepals.
The fruit is spindle-shaped.

[Cultivation]
Propagate mainly by division, but back bulb shoots and seed are also possible.
Grow in partial shade to shade, sheltered from dry winter north winds.
It is better to keep the air humidity high.
It prefers well-drained soil.
Water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
In the growing season from spring to early summer, place a slow-release fertilizer high in nitrogen on the soil once a month; in summer, use one higher in phosphorus and potassium.
Pests and diseases include virus disease, soft rot, aphids, spider mites and slugs.

[Notes]
There is concern that it may become extinct due to overcollecting.

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