Japanese terrestrials 2023

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Roberta

These are definitely a stretch for me... they'll only have a chance in the 'fridge. If that doesn't work, then they are not to be. Winters are 'way too warm. Even a cool one... most nights are above 40 deg F and days above 60. And sometimes there are episodes of summer-like temps. So this is a "How far can I push the envelope?" exercise. I'll know the answer next spring.

Ponerorchis are considered hardy from zones 6-9. The same principle that plants are more cold hardy when planted in the ground also applies to heat tolerance. I suspect that a 5 gal bucket buried deep enough so the top 2" are above the surrounding grade, with the only drainage at about the level of the surrounding grade and the substrate mounded up above the rim of the bucket would be a worthwhile experiment that could produce good results.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Ponerorchis are considered hardy from zones 6-9. The same principle that plants are more cold hardy when planted in the ground also applies to heat tolerance. I suspect that a 5 gal bucket buried deep enough so the top 2" are above the surrounding grade, with the only drainage at about the level of the surrounding grade and the substrate mounded up above the rim of the bucket would be a worthwhile experiment that could produce good results.

Might be worth a try, but I have my doubts... many years ago, I received some tulips and other bulbs, they were shipped in October. They went into the 'fridge. Then in around January I figured it would be safe to plant them. A few weeks later we had one of our hot spells... dry winds, temps close to 90 deg F. The tulips sprouted, raised their little heads into the sunshine and said "Wait a minute, days are warm and bright so it must be spring but days are short so it's still winter.) They bloomed, too early, and stunted. The next year, I think I got 2 daffodils, then nothing.

The other problem I'd have is that I'm not sure that I could make a hole deep enough for that bucket without a jackhammer, my "soil" is rock-hard clay. This is definitely an experiment... They may be "annuals".