Texas Orchids - Orchid Board

twelveagle · #1 08-16-2009, 11:29 PM

This is probably a totally newbie question, but are there native Texas Orchid species? If so where can I get them?

If not are there orchids that will survive 108 degree summers with winters that will have one or two freezes and that if I plant in my back yard will not cause an ecological disaster by introducing a new and invasive species of plant?

I have a spot just off of my pond that is regularly splashed by a waterfall, it gets 3 or 4 hours per summer day of direct sunlight, and is just asking for some sort of tropical plant. It would have to be a pretty tough plant, though. My tap water is hard and slightly alkaline, although the pond water is a little softer and pretty neutral.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #2 08-17-2009, 12:59 AM

Are you in Texas, USA? Or are you in Egypt?

If you're in Egypt, Oeceoclades might work for you. These are native to Africa and Madagascar. There are other African species you can look into.

WhiteRabbit · #3 08-17-2009, 01:28 AM

Found a book published by the University of Texas ...

Table of Contents and Excerpt, Liggio and Liggio, Wild Orchids of Texas

Native species may not be available in cultivation tho.

ronaldhanko · #4 08-17-2009, 02:42 AM

There are about 45 native Texan orchids (many of them can be found in the Big Thicket), but they are all terrestrial and should not be moved or any attempt made to transplant them. Removing them is usually illegal and they very often will not grow anyway when transplanted (they require a special soil fungus). The one Lady's Slipper found in Texas and the easiest to establish of the native orchids is Cypripedium kentuckiense which can be purchased (in the spring) from CYPRIPEDIUMS FOR SALE- Vermont Ladyslipper Company. Most tropical orchids will not stand the frost.

twelveagle · #5 08-17-2009, 09:50 AM

Great info. Its shameful that enthusiasts would do so much destruction to the thing that they "love" so much. I will look into the the Vermont Ladyslipper Company in the spring. I am trying to stick to native species as much as I can, so a Texas native would be great.

I live in Texas, but am Egyptian.

Royal · #6 08-17-2009, 10:43 AM

Hi twelveagle,

Texas is a big state, what area?

twelveagle · #7 08-17-2009, 11:40 AM

Austin, not quite east Texas.