Sarcochilus orchids

Sarcochilus is an Australian genus of around twenty-five species, native mostly to eastern Australia with a few species in New Caledonia. Plants are small monopodial epiphytes with short stems, strap-shaped leaves, and compact flower sprays of relatively small but intricately patterned blooms in whites, yellows, and pinks with contrasting spots or bars. The genus is the basis of the Australian "Sarc" hybrid breeding, which has produced a whole line of cool-tolerant compact orchids for temperate cultivation.

Sarcs do well in cool to intermediate growing conditions and are popular in mild-climate outdoor shadehouses in Australia. They are equally well suited to cool greenhouses and bright sunrooms in the northern hemisphere.

General care for the genus (species, hybrids and cultivars vary, so check with the grower for a specific plant): intermediate temperatures (nights 10 to 15 °C, day maximum 24 °C), bright indirect light (1,800 to 2,800 footcandles), high humidity (60 to 75 percent), regular watering during growth with brief drying between. Small pots with medium bark, or mounts for species that prefer to dry fast.

Species include Sarcochilus hartmannii, Sarcochilus fitzgeraldii, Sarcochilus ceciliae, and Sarcochilus falcatus. Hundreds of Australian hybrids are available, many with complex multi-species parentage. Listings below come from the nurseries we index, most of them re-checked nightly; prices are shown in USD.