Do you grow Terrestrial Orchids?

[kiwiorchids]

I used to have Bletilla striata for long, long time at my mother's house. the plant was VERY old, growing in a aluminium cooking pot and dirt! yes, soil from her house patio hahaha and it was beautiful. It died last year I think. I have tried to have it here in Oklahoma but they always die! I bought one potted from the store, then another one, then one root, and another root... they all died on me! and I love them. I grew up having those flowers every year in the patio. and my family live in Chihuahua, Mexico. where we only have two seasons. very hot summers and dry winters (mostly), that's it! it's a big dry desert.
So How come they thrived there and not here? I WANT ONE! at least. I guess I'll keep trying hahaha

Strange-i grow mine where they are almost waterlogged half the year, and they thrive! They are very versitile orchids indeed-what do you grow them in, and do you fertilize them?

[kiwiorchids]

Beautiful orchids! I got a pleione, slipper orchid, and another one that i don't even know the name, the one with long leaves and small pink flowers, and they all died under my care. i remember the slipper orchid just dropped off the leaves one by one until only the soil left in the pot...sad... upon seeing the pictures, i'm starting to get inspired with the terrestials

They are alot of fun my friend, its just figuring out the right spot-like the Satyrium for example-too much sun and the flower spike will go brown, too little light and it does the same. Too warm, the plant comes out in funny bumps, too cool, and the plant is the tiniest weedy little fellow imaginable!

[pavel]

All you guys should seriously try those Disas! Notice im pushing really hard for 'change'? lol! They are like the terminators of the orchid world!

Disas are beautiful, Jordan. No arguement there. However, I have heard from several folks that they are "divas". If you can provide their conditions they generally do great. But they are very unforgiving of any cultural mistakes and once they start to decline you can write them off as dead. This couple with the fact that, at least in my area, they are VERY expensive has and will unfortunately continue to keep them off my list of orchids to try.

Gabriel, I'd suggest trying different potting medias or amending your soil differently to see if what might work better. At a guess -- and it is only a guess -- perhaps your Oklahoma soil is too water retentive over the winter. If so, then a more free draining soil might be required.

[corymbosa]

About half of the orchids I grow are terrestrials. I mostly grow Australian species. I'm slowly adding Africans and Europeans to the collection.

[Kmac]

A few...3 paphs and a phrag. Plus a eulophia keithii.

I got a tiny start of bletilla striata at my OS meeting from a friend, but it is very small and not in great shape. If it lives, I'll claim I am growing it, but not yet.

I'll be happy to try a disa if/when I come across one here that isn't too expensive. I think it would be happy next to my phrag.

[kiwiorchids]

About half of the orchids I grow are terrestrials. I mostly grow Australian species. I'm slowly adding Africans and Europeans to the collection.

Just a question-how easy is it to get european terrestrials over the ditch? It is near impossible here-case in point: For three Dacs, i spent 150NZD, and they were not even poking the surface of the soil in the pot yet....

[angela]

The terrestrials which I have are:- Spath. Plicata. Spath. Kimbaliana, Spath. parsonsii, Epi. radicans. Epi. ibaguense.
The Spathoglottis are grown in pots of Potting Mix with Aloflor and charcoal added for good drainage. The above Epis. are actually planted in a garden bed in full sun. I did this with these 2 plants because they were multiplying so much they were taking up too much space on my benches.
I have other Epis. (Hybrids) which are potted in med. grade Aliflor & charcoal, and do well.
I am not familliar with many of the species that have been mentioned before. I don't know whether they would grow in my conditions.

[kiwiorchids]

The terrestrials which I have are:- Spath. Plicata. Spath. Kimbaliana, Spath. parsonsii, Epi. radicans. Epi. ibaguense.
The Spathoglottis are grown in pots of Potting Mix with Aloflor and charcoal added for good drainage. The above Epis. are actually planted in a garden bed in full sun. I did this with these 2 plants because they were multiplying so much they were taking up too much space on my benches.
I have other Epis. (Hybrids) which are potted in med. grade Aliflor & charcoal, and do well.
I am not familliar with many of the species that have been mentioned before. I don't know whether they would grow in my conditions.

What a great collection! although Epidendrums are primarily epiphytes.

[angela]

Hi Jordan
Yes, but there are some that are terrestrial, in particular the 2 that I mentioned.

[florafan]

I have nine paphs and an Anechtochilus chapensis.