Bletilla striata
 

This must be the world's easiest orchid! Recommended for all beginners, but I still have a special love for this undemanding species. :D

Very pretty, I do like these guys. We would have 3 of them if they were winter hardy here. I thought they were and left them outdoors over their first winter (which was a cold one) and they died. Haven't been able to find any to try again, but this time I would bring at least one inside. Oh well live and learn.

Todd that is a gorgeous bloom...easy you say...are they I-W tolerant??? :pray: So pretty.

Oh! That lip is to die for! Wonderful! It reminds me of a frillly tuxedo shirt :cheer: :banana: ! Very cool!

Barb, I also tried one outdoors but not to be despite what I thought was extra protection. Last year a local nursery had some pre-packaged bareroot ones so I said, what the heck, I'll grow it indoors. This year I picked up a white and a yellow striata...I'm really keen on seeing what the yellow one will be like! All three are available at Fraser Thimble Farm in BC...he sells all sorts of hardy orchids...I just got 3 Calanthe, 2 Goodyera and a Pleione from him as well (all will be grown inside)

Love that frilly lip.

Todd, how do you give them the cool down cycle inside?

I have a root cellar in the basement that holds at 5-8 C. I'll put it outside in the summer and leave it until frost kills the foliage. I then store it in the cellar keeping it slightly moist. In March it started sprouting so I repotted it and brought it into a cool, sunny room upstairs and now its open! Inadvertantly, I seem to be following a schedule that would work outside if I lived in the Pacific northwest, as they are blooming now in coastal BC.

Very nice! Congratulations! Do you keep it in a refrigerator during winter months?

I like that lip a lot! And excellent photo too
My storage room in the basement doesn't seem to get cool enough for winter storage unfortunately

Thanks Todd, I looked into Fraser Thimble Farms, they have hardy ladyslippers too...highly tempting. Have you gotten any of them? The yellow Bletilla looks like it will be lovely too. I saw a couple Calanthe at Clouds and fell in love with their foilage and have been kicking myself for not picking one up.

I already have enquired about an order from them:)

Stunning, that frilly lip and the electric colour are just gorgeous :drool: