I think my Bletilla striata entered the growing phase

[rbarata]

This weekend I went to the orchidarium where I bought it and there were a few striatas smaller than mine in bloom. Hopefully they will bloom too.
Let's wait and see what happens.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They usually bloom closer to April to May.

Once they're blooming sized plants, they bloom like clockwork.

I have a couple pots full of these. The temperatures can get pretty warm during the summer days. High temperatures are not a problem for these. I've had mine for about 5 - 7 years, (I forgot how long they've actually been growing for me). So, yeah, temperatures over 100 F - no problem!

Temperatures around 36 F, no sweat too!

Try adding some limestone or calcium to them.

Mine are the variegated leafed variant that are commonly sold in just about every garden center you can find here in the US. They are sold as spring bulbs here.

They grow in moderately bright indirect to bright indirect light.

Their underground rhizomes are branched btw. If you pull them out, they resemble ginger roots, only green.

If yours didn't bloom this year rbarata, you will definitely see blooms next year if they are grown correctly.

Just as a fun fact, this species is actually one of the very few orchids where you can sow the seeds without doing lab work. Just put the seeds on a wet paper towel and add a tiny bit of calcium and dilute amounts of fertilizer, then put a light over them. Within 1 - 2 months you will see green protocorms!

[rbarata]

Just as a fun fact, this species is actually one of the very few orchids where you can sow the seeds without doing lab work. Just put the seeds on a wet paper towel and add a tiny bit of calcium and dilute amounts of fertilizer, then put a light over them. Within 1 - 2 months you will see green protocorms!

This was one of the reasons why I wanted to try one.

The other is the fact they're hardy.
Temps are now in the upper 90's with forecast of upper 100's and it seems to be doing fine, with daily waterings (HR is between low 20's by day and upper 80's by night).

Photos taken today:

[estación seca]

How much sun does that area get?

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by estación seca

How much sun does that area get?

Almost none... maybe one hr early morning and another late afternoon. It's a north balcony.
But it has bright light due to some buildings in front.

[brianwstephens]

I love Bletillas!! They used to be so readily available at local places like Home Depot but now I can only find them online.

[Selmo]

Hey rbarata, I was thinking of your blettila striata and how it was doing. I was cleaning up last years growth (frist photo) and noticed a couple of new growths starting to emerge (second photo). We put ours in the garage for the winter when it get cold enough to freeze the pot solid. I believe that was in December. We don’t cut back the old growth until now, just before new growth starts for this year. I saw a couple of new growths starting to appear, and thought I wonder if rbarata’s little striata is doing the same? So I thought I would ask, how’s your little plant doing? It won’t be long until they start growing like gang busters. Hopefully this will be the year for yours to bloom.

[rbarata]

Hi Selmo!

Thanks for asking!

In fact I have some news... Last Sunday I went to give a brief misting to the medium top layer and there was nothing.
Yesterday, by the end of the day, I noticed the new growth by the right side.
Today, as I went to take a photo to answer you, I noticed the new growth by the left side.

This morning I resumed watering.

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[rbarata]

As the new growth are growing so fast, this afternoon went to see how they look since yesterday and found....another growth.

[Roberta]

It's spring! It's spring! Mine are coming up too... in fact, the ones planted in the ground are already in bloom, the ones in pots just coming up. Perhaps the ones in the ground stay a little warmer at night.