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