Calopogon sp. (probably tuberosus), Bog Orchid, Grass Pink. After vanishing for the winter, this hardy orchid emerges to display one to eight bright pink flowers that resemble 2-inch butterflies. The flower stalk is about a foot high and should be cut back, just above the leaves, after blooming in May-June. Transplanting and dividing should be done when the plant is dormant and the leaves die back, usually from November through March. The small oval corms ("bulbs") should be planted 1-2 inches deep in a soil that retains moisture; we recommend 1/3 sand plus 2/3 peat moss. This orchid likes full sun to 40% shade and makes a fine companion plant with Pitcher Plants or other sun-loving bog dwellers. If you purchase a growing, potted plant, we suggest that you sink the pot into the ground,(or bog garden), until late fall.Then, you can remove the pot and replant the corm as described above. Bare-root, growing plants should be planted as soon as possible. You may need to support flower stalks with a stake the first year. The top of the corm may have an old, brown flower stalk that was trimmed off (see image). Another way to determine which side is up is to look for a pointed shoot, heading upward. Water thoroughly after planting to settle soil around the brittle roots. Keep moist but not in standing water. Fertilizer does not appear necessary.

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Even if you accidently plant the corm, ("bulb"), upside-down, it will probably grow fine!
We often trim off most or all of the dead roots, before shipping.
Below is an illustration of how the orchid grows. The older bulb (shown in yellow-green) dies off. In the fall, the new bulb (shown in green) loses all leaves and roots.