Anoectochilus burmannicus

Origin and background of Anoectochilus burmannicus

Anoectochilus burmannicus ranges from southern Yunnan through Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam to Peninsular Malaysia. In Thailand, it occupies shaded ground in seasonal evergreen and hill evergreen forests at about 750–1,400 m, across granite, sandstone and limestone.

Near Chiang Mai, it grows around 1,000 m on streamside ground, litter-rich sandy loam and organic material gathered in rock crevices. The soil there is rich in organic matter with moderate nutrient levels, giving the shallow roots a loose, humus-rich layer to grow through.

Care and growing conditions for Anoectochilus burmannicus

• Potting mix: Use a loose organic potting mix with fine bark or another coarse ingredient so excess water can drain freely.
• Water: Water while the top of the mix still feels lightly moist, then let the pot drain fully. Keep the mix evenly moist.
• Light: Gentle filtered window light suits the dark leaves well.
• Temperature: Keep it warm indoors and choose a spot with steady temperatures.
• Humidity and airflow: It does well in humid air, particularly in cabinets. Gentle airflow helps splashes and condensation dry promptly.
• Nutrition: Use a complete fertiliser at low strength while new roots and leaves are growing. Water thoroughly with plain water occasionally to flush out excess fertiliser salts.
• Slower growth: When growth slows, continue checking the mix and feed less until fresh roots or leaves start growing again.
• When flowering: Keep the mix evenly moist as a flower spike develops. Continue light feeding while new roots and leaves are growing.
• Repotting and division: Replace compacted mix when it drains slowly, or move to a broader pot when the creeping stems reach the edge. A rooted stem section with a healthy new shoot can be separated for propagation.

Problems and first actions for Anoectochilus burmannicus

• Dry tan patches appear on bronze leaves: Intense light or a sudden dry spell can damage the leaves. Move the plant into gentler light, water thoroughly and keep the mix evenly moist. Check the next leaves for signs of recovery.
• The base becomes soft and water-soaked: Waterlogged roots and bacterial soft rot can turn the lower stem soft and translucent. Use a clean tool to cut away the rotten tissue until the remaining growth is firm and healthy. Discard the rot and old mix, then replant the healthy portion in fresh potting mix with good drainage.
• A firm dark mark spreads upward from the lower stem: Fungal disease can follow earlier root stress. Cut out dead tissue and improve drainage. Only treat after identifying the fungal disease. Use a fungicide labelled for it on indoor ornamentals. Follow the label for dose and repeat treatment.
• Irregular spots enlarge or become grey: Persistent leaf wetness can encourage fungal or bacterial disease. Take off severely damaged leaves, keep the leaves dry when watering and improve airflow.
• Speckling, silver scars, stickiness or waxy bodies show up: Inspect for thrips, scale, mites and mealybugs. Move an infested plant away from neighbouring plants. Once the pest is identified, treat with a houseplant product that lists it on the label. Follow the label for dose and repeat treatment.

Keep Anoectochilus burmannicus away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

How did Anoectochilus burmannicus get its name?

Anoectochilus combines Greek anoiktos, meaning open, with cheilos, meaning lip, referring to the spreading form of the flower’s labellum. The epithet burmannicus means from Burma, now Myanmar.

Carl Ludwig Blume established the genus Anoectochilus in 1825 in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indië, page 411.

Robert Allen Rolfe first described Anoectochilus burmannicus in 1922 in Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew, volume 1922, page 24.