ground orchid

[JoAnn]

I'm new to orchid growing & have a ground orchid in a pot that has never bloomed & this is the 3rd year for it. I didn't plant it in the ground because I thought it would freeze in my zone 5 garden. Does it have to have cold in order to bloom? It is in my cold greenhouse now & is coming up again. What should I do to get it to bloom now? Thanks, JoAnn

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Is this a Chinese ground orchid, a Bletilla striata?
http://www.pbase.com/schnitz/image/30700441/large
You can blow this pic up one size larger. Note that these are in large pots, certainly larger than needed, but the plants multiply pretty fast and need room to expand. If you have this one, and it is not blooming, I would guess it is not getting enough light. These get full morning sun. They should produce flower spikes as the leaves first unfurl. I think these should do OK in the ground for you, plant a little deep, and cover with a thick layer of straw during winter. I sink my pots into the ground for winter with the straw cover in Zone 6. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ