I grow Serapias lingua here in northern Ohio where it is one of the easier mediterranean climate species to cultivate in a cold greenhouse. The tuber is potted in October in a sandy mix which contains chunks of tufa (porous limestone) in clay pots. The tubers are kept only slightly moist with rainwater and never fertilized. The rosettes develop during the winter months and are prone to aphid attach. Plants flower in April after most of the other med-climate species are beginning dormancy. Plants do not suffer from occasional drying and remain in flower for about 2 weeks. When foliage begins to fade I stop watering and keep pots dry on a shelf until the following October. Night temperatures in the greenhouse are in the 33-45F range and chilly conditions do not seem to harm them as long as they are on the dry side. Not much growth occurs during these long, cold, dark months but they grow rapidly when days lengthen and light and temperatures increase. A very well drained sandy soil with limestone seems to suit them.
Warren
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