Bretilla Striata

[solay]

One out of the two Bretilla Striata I planted looks like it's growing. Anyone know how long to blooming size?

[kid a]

I have no idea. I had never heard of them before, but they like they will be beautiful from the picture on the tag

[patticake]

Bletilla striatta are what my little seeds were that died I've never grown them, however. I can't wait to see yours in bloom

[Ron]

Hi Solay.
I take it that you bought tubers or bulbs.
I grew them for about 40 years. they love a cool or cold resting period after all the leaves die off in autum.
If the bulbs are mature size the should flower in early spring.
They are then best left in a pot untill they become overcrowded the can easy be divided up and start all over again.
Also grow very well in the flower garden if well drain soil/potting mix is available.
I still love there flowers in early Spring.
Cheerio
Ron

[solay]

Thank you Ron. That helps a lot. Yes they were tubers and was kinda sad looking when I received them in the mail. I'm hoping at least one will bloom for me.

Patti, I saw that thread. Poor things. I hope mine grows and grows so I can share the tubers.

Kortney, I never new orchids just grew in the garden like regular plants until I saw one in a Sunset magazine and then I found it on sale on e-bay. If it works out I will try putting it in the ground with the rest of my plants.

[kid a]

Neato! I didn't even realize it was an orchid, lol. I should have looked to what section the thread was in!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

It depends on how big the bulbs are. I have had really large bulbs, ~2" across, bloom first season (fortunately, as it was not the advertised color, and I got a replacement the next season), and for really scrawny bulbs, or those that have sat in the package too long, 3 or more years. Unfortunately, many commercial suppliers are selling very undersized bulbs. The replacement bulbs mentioned above took 2 seasons of just green growth to get up to blooming size.

[solay]

Sounds like I have a long wait. The bulbs was pretty small and shriveled and only one seems to be growing.

Thanks Cynthia. At least I know not to expect blooms for a while.

[patticake]

The Bletilla striata police are out! (note spelling)
I think that you can grow them under conditions that are pretty cold in the winter, as long as you mulch them.- I'm envious of those of you that can grow her. I think I'm too cold even with mulch. Zone 3-4.

[solay]

Patti, I can't even copy the words from the tag without screwing it up! LOL!!! I must be cross eyed.

Are the smilies back? Seems like everyone is using them except me?

I think I'm zone 9 and it rarely drops below 30 degrees here. I'm hoping it will do good. Still too early to tell.

[patticake]

Solay, I think you can grow her outside-no-problem!

No, the smilies aren't back... I just love them so much, that I went to the "smilies are on" thing. - If you scroll all the way to the bottom of the post, and click on the word smilies, you can get the codes that will bring them up. I copied them down( some of them, at least,) and just type the codes in when needed. It's harder this way, but I love the smilies...

I can't wait to see how your babies do!