Bletilla Striata

[Leisurely]

A terrestial that is native to Japan and China and is hardy from zones 5 to 10. Everyone that has a garden should grow some of these. They are very undemanding and bloom regularly every spring.

[Dorothy]

Love it!
I am hoping to grow some of these this year outside

[TikiGeorge]

Mine have a tendency to come up early if our winter starts late like this year. They came up 4 weeks ago only to be frost nipped by last week's cold snap despite my protective efforts. They will survive, but the flower buds that like to come up with the new growth will not.

[WhiteRabbit]

I have been thinking of getting some of these!
do they need a lot of water?

[greenbean]

I love these!!!!! I have a small clump at home. It's a fantastic plant because it is just as tropical looking as the truly tropical orchids, but it breezes through our winters AND the DEER DON'T EAT IT!!!!! It didn't bloom last year though. I'm thinking it's because I transplanted it the year before. It did grow two more shoots though, so hopefully this year I'll have blooms! If not I'll try it in a different spot and maybe add more organic matter than I did last time.

I watered mine when I thought about it. I tried to give it a deep soak every one or two weeks when it got really hot. My soil is very heavy though, and the Northwest has relatively mild summers, so watering would very depending on conditions. But I don't think it is a very heavy drinker.

[Dorothy]

Evan - there is a book out I want to purchase by Dr. Wiiliam Mathis from the Wild Orchid Company called The Gardener’s Guide to Hardy Perennial Orchids. Check it out - The Gardener’s Guide to Hardy Perennial Orchids
Dr Mathis tells you what to do to create optimal growing conditions for these wild beauties.
Hardy terrestrial orchids for perennial gardens
I recently wrote them asking for the dates and places Dr Mathis will be lecturing .. I'd love to go to one of his seminars

[billc]

Greenbean, DEER DON'T EAT IT ! I may have to get some of these. The deer where I live think I'm their salad bar provider. The only plants I can grow unprotected are boxwood and daffodils. Everything else is chewed to bare wood by the end of winter. One of my neighbors is thinking of trying to get hosta listed as an endangered species.

Bill

[Leisurely]

Dorothy you were missed. Your knowledge is very valuable to this forum.

White Rabbit, my plants are planted in a loose compost mix. I add a little bone meal after flowering. Because they grow from a bulb (rhizome) they are fairly drought tolerant. If we don't have rain, I water once per week. During the winter, they are dormant and require no care.

Tiki George, my plants begin growth very early also. It's probably because we live in the southern latitude. In your situation, to prevent freeze damage, I would cover them with straw and turn a large garbage can over them. It works quite well.

[Dorothy]

Thank you Jerry
It's good to be home

[greenbean]

Originally Posted by billc

Greenbean, DEER DON'T EAT IT ! I may have to get some of these. The deer where I live think I'm their salad bar provider. The only plants I can grow unprotected are boxwood and daffodils. Everything else is chewed to bare wood by the end of winter. One of my neighbors is thinking of trying to get hosta listed as an endangered species.

Bill

I know!! At my house they even try to eat boxwood! They just nibble and pull at it though. I can grow daffodils, yuccas, barberry (I love these because I've watched the deer try to eat the soft leaves only to jerk their heads back after getting their tongues pierced!), irises, rhodies, and a few others I've found in my short 19 years that deer don't like. Just keep in mind that I've got blacktails and you probably have whitetails. And even within one species of deer in one area, different deer have different tastes that very from season to season and year to year. I grew gladiolus for 2 or 3 years. The deer never gave them a second look. Suddenly, they decide glad flowers are delicious. I got rid of almost all my glads because it just hurt to see mangled flower stalks every year. One thing that seems to be universally inedible to deer are ornamental grasses, and there's so much variety that there's something for everyone. Pfff! The only hosta I've even bothered trying to grow is Pandora's Box. This beautiful little 2-3 inch dwarf stays on my deck out of reach!!

Bletilla is sooooo worth the risk though. Try it!!! That's the only way to find out what you can and can't grow!

Dorothy! Thanks for the book reference!! I joined right before you disappeared and am only now coming to appreciate and enjoy firsthand the wonderful Mod I've heard so much about!

Mom! Dad! Guess what I want for my birthday!!!....