terrestrial orchids that tolerate my climate? - Orchid Board

neophyte · #1 01-07-2020, 07:34 PM

Hi, I was just wondering if you all could give me a few ideas on some terrestrials I could grow in my backyard. For reference, the temps here can go down to the mid-to-low forties in the winter and high eighties/nineties in the summer. It seems like the cold-growing ones can't tolerate the summer heat, and the warm/humid-growing ones can't tolerate the winter!

Subrosa · #2 01-07-2020, 07:59 PM

Off the top of my head, Sacoila lanceolata, Habenaria repens, Arundina graminifolia.

Roberta · #3 01-07-2020, 08:17 PM

Pterostylis curta ... summer dormant, start watering around August 1, leaves typically visible around end of September, flowers starting very soon. Also Mediterranean (such as Ophrys and Orchis) and temperate Australian (such as Thelymitra and Diuris) terrestrials... again summer dormant so heat isn't a problem, and they expect winter cold and wet which is when they start growing. Bletilla striata is another one... I have found that it actually does better in the ground than in pots. Very cold tolerant, spring bloomng, summer not a problem... if leaves get ratty, it's going to drop them anyway.

Neophyte, for Pterostylis, I hope you're planning on going to the Pacific Orchid Exposition in San Francisco Feb 21-23. You'll probably see some there. (Actually, hope you're going on general principles... it's a very good show with a good lineup of vendors)

neophyte · #4 01-07-2020, 08:53 PM

Thank you both for your advice!

Quote:

Neophyte, for Pterostylis, I hope you're planning on going to the Pacific Orchid Exposition in San Francisco Feb 21-23. You'll probably see some there. (Actually, hope you're going on general principles... it's a very good show with a good lineup of vendors)

Man, I hope I can make it! I'm going to pray there will be no conflicts that day...