Chinese Ground Orchid

Chinese Ground Orchid Care

Bletilla Striata

Other names: Hardy Orchid, Hyacinth Orchid, Bletilla Hyacinthina, Bletia Hyacinthina, Bletia Striata

What is the plant

Bletilla striata is native to Japan, Korea, Myanmar (Burma), and China (Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang). It grows in evergreen broad leaved forests, coniferous forests, grassy places and crevices at elevations of 100 to 3200 meters. The Striped Bletilla is a small to medium sized, cool to cold growing terrestrial with subterranean rounded and compressed pseudobulbs with an erect, 30-70 cm tall stem that bears 4 to 5, oblong-lanceolate, plicate, acuminate apically, flexible, 20-30 cm long, 2-5 cm wide leaves. Chinese Ground Orchid blooms on a lax, terminal, 60 cm long inflorescence arising with a new pseudobulb that has 3 to 12, fragrant, somewhat nodding flowers that open in succession in the spring. The flowers are 2.5 to 5.5 cm in diameter, rose-purple, sepals and petals alike.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

min -2°C

Hardiness zone

10 - 12

Difficulty

Hard

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Chinese Ground Orchid require regular watering during the growing period. Once the leaves have died down in autumn they should not be watered for the next 4-6 weeks and allowed to rest dry to avoid rotting the bulbs.
Fertilizer
The plants require frequent fertilizing every 2 to 3 weeks during their active growing period. A high N fertilizer is recommended in spring and early summer but switch to a high phosphorus and potassium fertilizer in late summer and early autumn. Stop fertilizing in late autumn.
Sunlight
Bletilla striata need to receive sunlight for most of the day if they are to flower well and do best in semi shade avoiding the hot afternoon sun.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
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. A normal shape 250mm diameter nursery pot is best. The bulbs should be placed about 5 to 10 cm below the surface of the potting mix. Avoid breaking roots when repotting.
Temperature
The Striped Bletilla will tolerate the typical temperatures from -2 to 44°C providing they are given protection from frosts in winter. Ideally they should be grown in a shade-house or protected verandah position where they are protected from frosts and direct summer sun.
Popularity
26 people already have this plant 5 people have added this plant to their wishlists