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