Please note that more is not better. Orchid-like. Some need the winter chill to flower properly and may take a couple of years to exhibit optimum bloom quality. Protect from slugs. Bletilla striata can last for years in our Long Island gardens and will grow to be 16” tall. Regular feed. Although fairly hardy, it may be grown in a pot to overwinter inside where winters are extremely cold. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. White Flower Farm is a family-owned mail-order nursery located in northwestern Connecticut. GardenersHQ © 2005-2021 Dean Ravenscroft / Thank you for visiting my gardening site; 2021 - 01 - 12 : Privacy Policy. The flowering is at its best at the beginning of the summer (June, July). Therefore, it likes moist (specifically medium moisture), rich (organically enriched) soil that is well-drained. Hardy Orchid. Bletilla striata photograph by Cliff1066. Keep dry in winter while plants are dormant. Plant the corm-like pseudobulbs (or tuberous rhizomes) about four inches apart and two to three inches deep in rich, organic, well-drained but consistently moist soil. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. In late spring, arching stems of pink orchid flowers appear. Good drainage. Bletilla 'Brigantes' (Brigantes Chinese Ground Orchid) This 1994 Richard Evenden introduction is a seed grown cultivar from a cross between Bletilla striata x Bletilla ochracea. In this video we take a large clump of Bletilla Striata and propagate the many bulbs that have been growing for over 3 years in a pot. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; } The plants have rose-purple petals and sepals, highlighted by a purple lip with yellow markings. How to propagate Bletilla It is possible to propagate Bletilla by division in autumn or by seed. Bletilla striata - the hyacinth orchid - is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family Orchidaceae, native to Japan and China. Mix in peat and leaf mold to the soil. The clusters of long-lasting flowers on slender stems and the deeply veined, Iris-like leaves arise from tuber-shaped rootstocks (corm-like pseudobulbs). As for pH, the plant tolerates both acidic and alkaline soils well. If a concentrated, water-soluble fertilizer is used, please follow the manufacturers' recommendations carefully. When in doubt, don't water. After flowering, continue to provide regular moisture to plants for the rest of the growing season. Of all of the hardy orchids for sale, none are easier to grow than Bletilla. Life Cycle: Hardy perennial. Lipped. Sow Inside: Sow fresh seeds in a saucer upon blotting paper or a soaked towel. and Polytoma Lour. Since 1950 we have been providing a wide range of perennials, annuals, bulbs, shrubs, vines, amaryllis, gardening tools & supplies, and gifts for gardeners. Bletilla then go into their winter dormancy. Subscribe to enjoy gardening advice, email offers & more, Keep up with White Flower Farm on Social Media. Most established plants grow best if fertilized with a light hand. It forms a clump 50 centimetres (20 in) tall with sword-shaped leaves and bright pink flowers in Spring. Leave it there at least until it has several healthy roots … Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Dig a hole approximately 15cm (6in) deep so that there is plenty of room for the roots to take hold. Provide support. If planted in any reasonable compost that doesn’t sour, it will grow and if given adequate sunshine it will also flower. Germination may take up to a whole year, but as little as a month. Bletilla striata (Chinese Ground Orchid) The 9 species of Bletilla, of which the most popular is Bletilla striata, the Chinese Ground Orchid, are terrestrial orchids that are hardy in places where the ground doesn't freeze. Green. Fill a pot with sterilized, chopped, sphagnum moss and dampen it with soft, lime-free water (Not from your tap if you get furry limescale in your kettle though). Many gladioli also survive winters in our gardens, thanks to global warming—every cloud has a silver lining! Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Grow in moist, well-drained soil rich in humus. The plant is suitable to grow in medium or loamy soils. They are beautiful plants and should be grown where they can be seen, such as by shaded paths or even in barrels. Erect racemes. The house wall did the trick for me. Sow Outside: Seeds: Surface. Next cover the saucer with glass or cling film. I planted them years ago smack against my very sunny South facing house wall and they do thrive there. The genera Jimensia Raf. Propagate: clumps can be divided once flowering has finished. Bletilla striata is hardy down to a temperature of 25°F (-3.5°C). This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions: Gwynn Oak, Maryland. Up to fourteen flowers per shoot. A normal shape 250mm diameter nursery pot is best. White Flower Farm® is a registered trademark of White Flower Farm, Inc. More plants can be created by dividing large clumps of plants after they have flowered. Spacing 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm). From there they were planted out and > began flowering 3-4 years from sowwing, which is remarkably quick > compared to most other orchids. The care of Bletilla orchids is not the easiest of things. A real curiosity, treasured in the shady rock garden. White Flower Farm • 1-800-503-9624, Blackmore & Langdon Begonias & Delphiniums, Customer-Favorite Annual Container Designs, Fertilizer & Supplies for Annual Containers, All Preplanned Gardens & Plant Collections, Discounted Gift Certificates Available Now, Add a $50 Gift Card to Your Bouquet or Gift Set for Just $25, Growing Bletilla (Hardy Chinese Ground Orchid). Description This plant is a great addition to a partial shade area of the garden with moderate moisture and substantial organic matter in the soil. Late winter to early spring. Temperature 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C). In zone 5 provide a heavy mulch. Foliage: Lance-shaped. Its beautiful, fan-like pleated leaves are showy in the spring through the summer. The best time to plant Bletilla is in spring before growth commences. Flower Details: Purple, white, yellow. All contents © 2021 White Flower Farm All rights reserved. Regular watering. The best conditions to grow this plant is in the ground in a nice rich loam that is constantly moist in full sun. Bletilla ‘Kate’ is a vigorous plant with long sword-shaped leaves. Orchids can then be transplanted outside after the last frost of spring. They should be transplanted at a distance of 20 to 25 cm in well drained peat rich soil in a shaded area of the garden. Best grown in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained soil in part shade. Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Grow in moist, well-drained soil rich in humus. Soil pH 5.5 to 7.0. Plant them in moist but well-drained, rich, and organic soil. To zone 5 with a lot of loving care. Bletilla Orchids will require regular fertilizing and watering. Chesapeake, Virginia Terrestrial Orchid ‘Kate’ PPAF (Bletilla yokohama) Hardy terrestrial orchids are exotic perennials that can be grown in outdoor gardens (zones 6 and higher). Plants should then be cut back to the ground following flowering. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Orchis and Martynia plants. An alternative is to grow Bletilla in containers and bring them indoors for the winter. When the stem above the baby dies, it might even flower on its own. Common Names: Orchid. We invite you to browse our website, and to join our email list for special offers and useful gardening tips. Roslyn, New York. Plant corm-like pseudobulbs to 4” deep in spring. Family: Orchidaceae. In zones 6 to 7 provide a moderate mulch made from straw or leaves. Once seeds germinate they should be transferred to pots with moist soil and kept in light at about 20 degrees Celsius. When in doubt, don't water. We recommend against fertilizing at planting time and during the first growing season in your garden. Bletilla is a half hardy perennial, and is commonly referred to as the orchid. Established plants can generally get by on less water, but most grow best if the soil remains evenly moist. With sufficient mulching, these can be cold hardy orchids down to USDA zones 5-6. Mulch with pine needles or other organic material to discourage weed growth and to conserve moisture. After flowering, continue to provide regular moisture to plants for the remainder of the growing season. Keep dry in winter Propagation Divide in … They should be planted in prepared soil to a depth of 5 cm and at a distance of 15 cm from each other. Buy Hardy Ground Orchid Mix (Bletilla striata) at Wholesale Price on DutchBulbs.com - Growers of quality Dutch Bulbs & Perennials since 1893. > Growing Bletilla using laboratory methods would probably cut a year > off the time to flowering. These spring-flowering perennial hardy orchids are quite durable in a wide range of garden conditions. K. van Bourgondien's No-Risk Guarantee. They shouldn't be confused with the Ground Orchid, Spathoglottis plicata. The best time to plant an orchid is spring. Transplant emerging seedlings to pots. You may wish to initially grow this plant in a pot so that it can be stored in a frost-fee environment over winter. Bletilla striata In this video we look at how to plant and divide Bletilla striata which is commonly called the ‘Chinese Ground Orchid’. I grow Bletilla here in NJ, zone 6b. Flowers: Early summer. For best flowering, give it a period at or near freezing; mulch during winter. The dish should then be covered with cling-film. May be best to lift plants once they are dormant and store indoors in a frost free area. Do not grow in an area that receives afternoon sun in hotter areas. Pseudobulbs/root: cover. Pseudobulbs should have a uniform color, be strong and devoid of signs of rotting. In summer water freely, applying a quarter strength balanced liquid fertiliser at every third watering. Securely stake the stem it is growing on, and trim it back. Spring to the middle of summer. N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed. It however is just as happy in … Box 50, Route 63 ~ Litchfield, Connecticut 06759 ~ 1-800-503-9624 How to Grow Bletilla Orchids Orchids can be grown from either seed or root stocks, if growing Bletilla outdoors then seeds should be sown in the surface from early spring on to the middle of summer. Germination time: one month to one year in the light. Where Bletilla is not winter hardy (Zone 5 and colder), it can be grown in containers and brought indoors. Regional. Bletilla, common name urn orchid, is a temperate, terrestrial genus of orchids containing five currently recognized species distributed through China, Japan, Taiwan, south to Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. Available for Kindle (MOBI), iPad (ePub) and as a PDF. Growing Region: Zones 9 to 10. Keep the soil moist during active growth reducing the volume provided in winter. Once in position, water thoroughly and deeply to settle the soil in place and to encourage a healthy root development. In areas of high winter rainfall a pot over the clump may also be useful. Mulch the soil with organic matter such as pine needles. Miscellaneous: Inflorescent shoots are annual in nature. Sprinkle the seeds on to the moss. Following the flowering, the foliage, fairly persistent, remains green at least until October before fading and disappearing completely. Established plants can generally get by on less water, but most grow best if the soil remains evenly moist. */. Transplant outdoors following the last frost. This relatively easy-to-grow orchid produces slender, pleated leaves. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal when growing hardy orchids. South Jordan, Utah. Bletilla Root stocks should be buried just below the surface in late winter to early spring. Growing hardy orchids here in the United States need a rich, loamy soil similar to that of the woodland floor. I tried them on several spots in the garden and always lost them. It is not very easy to grow Bletilla from seeds indoors, but certainly possible. Water thoroughly after planting and give new plants a good soaking once a week during summer, unless rainfall is plentiful (more than 1 inch per week). The stem of the orchid is typically 30 to 50 cm in height, and Bletilla has leaves that are lance shaped. A leaf growing on a flower stem probably is a baby orchid starting to grow. This will prevent weeds from growing around the plant and also help retain moisture in the soil. Height: 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm). The potting mixture is as for terrestrial orchid – sphagnum, cocoa chips, debris, bark, perlite and some soil, but some grow Bletilla in a pure soil for African Violets. We recommend against fertilizing at planting time and during the first growing season in your garden. Half hardy perennial. Chinese Ground Orchid. Keep dry in winter while plants are dormant. Orchids can be grown from either seed or root stocks, if growing Bletilla outdoors then seeds should be sown in the surface from early spring on to the middle of summer. The new Bletilla shoots appear during April and open out into a bouquet of leaves in the spring. P.O. Cut back to the ground in autumn. Light/Watering: Full sun to partial shade, protected from afternoon sun. I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Bletilla orchids. A deciduous terrestrial Orchid for woodland gardens, with blossoms that resemble little Cattleyas opening in June and July. This beauty will naturalize and spread modestly by creeping rhizomes and by seed dispersal in ideal growing conditions. Native: Oriental. Requirements: Partial and full shade. Some afternoon shade is essential in hot St. Louis summers. Orchid seeds should be placed on damp blotting paper in a dish. /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. Bletilla Root stocks should be buried just below the surface in late winter to early spring. If the plant is in the garden it is important to put a deep mulch over the plant in October. Please note that more is not better. Keep the whole pot enclosed inside a clean plastic bag for several … Plants need time to settle in before being pushed to grow. At the end of November, when the leaves have faded, the floral scape can be cut, preserving a ste… If you enjoy the information on this site, then you'll love my book: The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide. We also offer gardening advice and how-to information to gardeners throughout the United States. Apply a quarter strength balanced liquid fertiliser with every third watering. Substrate, growing media and repotting: Bletilla striata need a well draining humus rich potting mix containing loam and leaf mulch and some fertilizer should be used that should last for 3 to 4 years to avoid the need for repotting. We fertilize perennials just once--in early spring--with a light but even coverage of a balanced, granular fertilizer (such 10-10-10 or an organic fertilizer). Free Catalog! It begins flowering in June and the bloom cycle lasts up to 2 months. Bletillas will respond to good feeding throughout the season, using a high potash liquid fertilizer at ¼ normal dilution. Proper planting Orchid Bletilla Growing blats can occur from pseudobulb or seed. Easily grown in organically rich, moist, well-drained soils in part shade. The name is actually a diminutive of Bletia because of the resemblance between the two genera even though Bletia is a New World genus. Continuing Care: Easy to grow, Bletilla will spread to form generous clumps. If you have always thought hardy orchids were difficult to grow, then give a bletilla a try. How to care for Bletilla Cultivation Under glass, grow in loamed-based potting compost (JI No.2) with added leaf mould, in bright filtered or bright indirect light. 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