Help! Terrified of -

Pleione Formosana!

I was given one yesterday, but it only about 2-3mm!
I was told to leave it on top of very rough gritty compast, but the book says to plant 2-3 inches deep in compost.

I have another larger one accuired at the same time, but I understand this wee one to be very special, so would really like it to survive.

I never even heard of them before yesterday, so all advice welcome
Thanks
Janet

 

A new one on me - just a Google:-

A small terrestrial or lithophytic species found growing on mossy rocks or tree trunks in cold mountainous regions of Formosa. It is a deciduous species and water should be reduced when the leaves begin to turn yellow in the autumn, until no water at all is being given during the winter months. In the spring when new growth begins, water should be gradually introduced again, taking care not to give too much too soon. The single-flowered inflorescence appears from the centre of the young growth in early to late spring, and varies in size from 3ââ?¬Â to 4ââ?¬Â. The flower colour is very variable, ranging from soft pink to deep mauve. The lip is frilly at the edge and white, the throat can have yellow, or it may not, and is usually spotted with reddish-brown. This species can stand winter temperatures down to frost, as long as the frost doesnââ?¬â?¢t penetrate into the roots, or is sustained for any length of time. A temperature of around 40f to 45f would be ideal.

And another:-

Most gardeners fall for orchids somewhere along the line, and there's a wonderful group of small orchids called Pleiones, that grow in cool conditions. Pleione formosana is generally grown in cool glasshouses but you can grow P. formosana and some of the other species outside providing it's a cool, frost-free place, at the front of a border or under rhododendrons for example. Make sure though that the drainage is really, really good, they like gritty, free draining but moisture-retentive soil. They're half-hardy, and only about three or four inches tall. They produce beautiful flowers that almost hover above the soil. They have five rose pink sepals that fan out at the back of a down curved tube, they almost look like little groups of ballerinas. When you actually stoop down and look inside them, there are little spots and flecks inside. They're worth having a go with outside, but if you're not quite sure then try a cool alpine house, they're absolutely beautiful

 

I grow a few. Mine are planted just below the surface of a very free draining compost. Start watering them when they begin to grow. Feed with Tomorite or Maxicrop after flowering has finished. When the leaves start to go yellow, gradually dry off and leave dry over winter in a frsot free place.

[ 28. March 2006, 03:11 PM: Message edited by: Palustris ]

 

So do I plant this wee baby thing just below the compost?

The big one already has a shoot about 1 1/2 inch long on it but is only on surface of soil.