Terrestrials for pennsylvania growing?

[Call_Me_Bob]

Hi guys. so i have a spot where id like to start a bed of terrestrial orchids. i need your help to tell me if there is anything that would be able to grow in the area.

the bed would be right up against the house, not sure how the soil is, but i can replace it.

like i said, up against the house and on the northwest side. there are two tall tall trees in the backyard so the bed would probably be in bright shade most of the day.

any idea of plants that would be happy here? Id like something that i can leave in the ground all year.

[JaneEyre]

I believe bletillas and some pleiones can withstand frost. But I think they still need to be covered with mulch during winters. I'm sure there are others.

[Call_Me_Bob]

we get more than frost. we usually get at least 6" of snow. and it has the potentialy to get really cold, althoght mostly the coldest it will get in low 20s

[calypsoB]

what about cypropediums?

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by calypsoB

what about cypropediums?

do you think they would be favor to my conditions and lighting? can you suggest a species?

[FairyInTheFlowers]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

do you think they would be favor to my conditions and lighting? can you suggest a species?

Cyp. calceolus, parviflorum, and reginae to name some off the top of my head can thrive/survive in Saskatchewan weather, around -40C*, though it would still be best to mulch.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Call_Me_Bob

we get more than frost. we usually get at least 6" of snow. and it has the potentialy to get really cold, althoght mostly the coldest it will get in low 20s

On the contrary, snow is good for plants! It's a good isolation layer against the cold, and keeps the soil from freezing harder than it would without the snow.

I think you could do Blettias if you have well draing soil and plant them deep enough.

[sweetjblue]

Bob,
There are some good books out by Paul Martin Brown about the wild orchids of the USA.
One in particular might be of interest to you. Found on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Wild Orchids of the Northeast: New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey (9780813030340): PAUL MARTIN BROWN: Books

Judi

[Ray]

Yep, bletillas are an obvious choice, and easy. Just mix a lot of sharp sand in the soil and they'll thrive.

There is a guy near me, Bill Mathis, who operates The Wild Orchid Company (wildorchidcompany.com), and he published a good book on The Gardener's Guide to Growing Hardy Perennial Orchids. Maybe Eyebabe can get him out to speak at your society.

Also check out Wayne's website (orchidmix.com) for cyps. I visited during a speaking tour in Cleveland, and his whole yard is loaded with them. Here's a Cyp. kentuckiense from that visit:

[Call_Me_Bob]

Originally Posted by TheBlazingAugust

Cyp. calceolus, parviflorum, and reginae to name some off the top of my head can thrive/survive in Saskatchewan weather, around -40C*, though it would still be best to mulch.

thanks cody! good idea! ill see if i can get hold of them. do you know what kind of light they like? i guess ill have to do research

Originally Posted by camille1585

On the contrary, snow is good for plants! It's a good isolation layer against the cold, and keeps the soil from freezing harder than it would without the snow.

I think you could do Blettias if you have well draing soil and plant them deep enough.

blettilas for sure, maybe if i did a bed with blettilas and cyps

Originally Posted by sweetjblue

Bob,
There are some good books out by Paul Martin Brown about the wild orchids of the USA.
One in particular might be of interest to you. Found on Amazon:

Amazon.com: Wild Orchids of the Northeast: New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey (9780813030340): PAUL MARTIN BROWN: Books

Judi

thanks!

Originally Posted by Ray

Yep, bletillas are an obvious choice, and easy. Just mix a lot of sharp sand in the soil and they'll thrive.

There is a guy near me, Bill Mathis, who operates The Wild Orchid Company (wildorchidcompany.com), and he published a good book on The Gardener's Guide to Growing Hardy Perennial Orchids. Maybe Eyebabe can get him out to speak at your society.

Also check out Wayne's website (orchidmix.com) for cyps. I visited during a speaking tour in Cleveland, and his whole yard is loaded with them. Here's a Cyp. kentuckiense from that visit:

thanks ray!