Re: OT-Plants: Bletilla and Hippeastrum

Bill Shear and Mary Forte,
     Thank you very much for the information on Bletilla.  The soil here is
a loamy sand that contains some organic matter, so they should do well in
the part shade (full shade at noon) location in which I have placed them.

> Another hardy orchid that might work for you is Pleione.  I haven't tried
> them personally, but a friend in Charlotte NC grows them outdoors and
they
> bloom a bit after the crocuses.  Pleiones are beginning to find their way
> into the mass market.
> 
     I have seen some Pleinone for sale, and was tempted, but passed
because I didn't know what they are.  If I see them again...

> Florida is alive with orchid nuts, and also has a large number of native
> (presumably hardy) species. Make contact with a local orchid greenhouse
and
> you might learn about a number of species that could grow outside for
you.

     There is an Orchid House in Crystal River, which is about 20 minutes
away.
> 
> When I was living in Gainesville some 25 years ago, 'Amaryllis'
> (Hippeastrum) were common features of gardens there. 
<snip> Try 'em!

     I already have a dozen of these growing.  Some are blooming now.  I
especially like that white one with a red picottee edge.  Hippeastrums are
very well-liked here.

Mark A. Cook
billc@atlantic.net
Dunnellon, FL.
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