Bletilla striata help!

[Call_Me_Bob]

hey! so i was at the garden center the other day, and i was fortunate enough to be able to get two bletilla striata for 50% off! i got a forma alba and a variegated pink cultivar. they look nice and healthy.

can anyone advise me on planting? its the beginning of fall hear in Central Pa and its starting to slowly cool down. would it be best to plant these in the garden now, or should i wait and keep them in the pots all winter, and plant them in the spring? they still have their leaves

and does anyone have any other growing tips?

[DelawareJim]

Bob;

Nice pick! I got mine about this time last year and just planted them in the garden by my deck. Didn't do anything special and they bloomed this year.

Cheers.
Jim

[Paul Mc]

What zone are you in? I'm in st, Louis, MO, and a specialist in Hardy orchids suggested that you plant these in my zone close to the house. I do not remember exactly what zones they are custom too, but you may want to research it in relation to your own zone. There are many variations of this type of work, some can take higher zones and lower zones. It really depends on what type you get. But the standard ones that you described should be good up to my zone, again I don't remember what that is right off hand.

As far as culture goes, I mulch it very very heavily. Other than that, I do nothing special other then be sure that it remains somewhat moist. Remember it is a semi bog orchid. That is not mean that is want a bog, but it does want constant moisture. I planted several of these along the neighbors house that we have right to plant on, and I noticed the ones that got more Morning sun actually did better. Other than that they get dappled light throughout the day due to a large pin oak tree. And they get absolutely no direct light afternoon. They come up year after year and that one spot more and more heavily. And they bloom reliably.

Enjoy!

[Call_Me_Bob]

thanks guys!

im in zone 6a. they are definitely hardy here, ill plant them tomorrow!