Sobralia In-Ground Anyone?????

[PhalPal]

I purchased a Sobralia mirabalis while in Santa Barbara recently and plan on planting it in-ground. I just can't bring myself to do it!! UUGGGGHH! All the information I seem to get is 'needs great drainage,' but how do I guarantee that in a raised flower bed?

What medium would you suggest?? I have a perfect spot with light morning sun and protection from how summer sun; I'm just a bit confused on what mix to use for a terrestrial orchid.

[epiphyte]

It's a bit out of your way but last time I visited the UCLA Botanical Garden they had a Sobralia planted in the ground. Not sure what species it was though. Perhaps you can try sending them an e-mail or giving them a call to ask them about it.

If I were to try to grow a Sobralia in the ground I would probably start by digging a big, nay, huge hole in the ground. Then I'd fill in the bottom of it with nearly a foot thick of of rocks and/or large bark pieces and/or broken pottery shards and then fill in the rest with the same type of medium the SBOE potted the Sobralia in.

[PhalPal]

Hi Carlos; thanks for the reply. Where I want to put this orchid is under a palm tree in a raised planter box. The trouble is going to be the palm roots which are very strong and superficial, so digging a very big hole will be hard.
My confusion is that many suggest Sobralia likes to be pot bound. So how will it grow in the ground with no boundries? The plant I have will get two feet tall max. I'm thinking I will put it in a pot in the spot I am considering and keep it there until spring.

[exasperatus2002]

raised beds drain faster then just a hole in the ground since the water cant pool around the plant. If your worried about your soil type, try mixing in some sand to lighted or aerate the soil more.

[evagentry]

Keeping it in a pot in the spot you want to plant it in might be a good idea, at least for a little while, just to be sure it does o.k.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If you got the S. Mirabilis from SBOE, I'm guessing it will get closer to 3 feet. Had this plant for a number of years, and it was what I would call a standard Sobralia size. Finally went on to the species Sobralias, and found a new home for my Mirabilis. The only problem I see with Sobralias is that their roots are very thick and succulent, and very easily broken. When I repot, I hold the plant upright while hosing out my mix, an advantage having a mix that can just be hosed out, and keep it upright all the way thru the process of filling in with fresh mix. Since no roots are broken, the plants take repotting very well. Not so if you break roots during repotting, as this sets them back, sometimes irretrievably.

[PhalPal]

Thanks Cynthia for the warning. I have the S. Mirabalis (perhaps incorrect spelling??) from Cal Orchid. I had read two feet but three will be just fine. I'll keep it in a pot in the exact place I want it to grow and see how it does.

Thanks everyone for your replies!