Growing Temperate Terrestrials Indoors

[Hanz727]

Bonjour!

Is anyone here growing Habenaria, Orchis, Ophrys, Thelymitra an or any other temperate terrestrials indoors? If so, can I have some tips bout it? Merci beaucoup 😁

[Subrosa]

Tthey're definitely more challenging than most tropical orchids. There are several factors which must be considered to keep them healthy. The length of the day, the moisture level of the soil and the temperature all play roles in telling these plants whether they should be growing, blooming, or dying back to rest. You have to learn and respect these cues for each species you're considering. Dormancy is usually the hard part. Some plants will need to spend their dormancy in the fridge at near freezing temps, some should bake outside all summer long, sheltered from any rain that does fall. Improper moisture and temperature during dormancy practically guarantees the plants will rot.

[estación seca]

Some Habenaria may be the easiest of these. There are tropical and temperate species. You can find threads here by people growing them. Use the Search function in the top maroon menu.

[rbarata]

Taken from the internet:

"Most Ophrys orchids are dependent on symbiotic fungi. Transplanting specimens, especially wild specimens, is difficult, sometimes impossible, due to this symbiosis unless a large amount of surrounding earth is also taken with the plant."

We have lots of Ophrys species here and I could never cultivate them. I did some experiments when I was younger, including what is mentioned in the quoted text above (unless a large amount of surrounding earth is also taken with the plant). They simply died.

You might find additional info here.