Pleione Orinoco-gemini Orchidaceae Fred Coe, Ross The pleione is a Butterfield hybrid that has two flowers per stem and each flower has a darker pink lip than the usual pink pleione. It’s parents are native to China. Pleione’s are wonderful container orchids for the deck or partly shaded patio. They have a winter dormancy period when they need to be protected from excessive wetness, but otherwise appreciate ample moisture. They are early spring bloomers and grow best in orchid bark that has a little potting soil and extra perlite added. . Photo by Bruce Peters