Re: Orchids in Medit climates, hardiness and availability


There are two terrestial orchids that I have
occasionally seen here in California and are quite
showy, but I have not been able to locate sources for
them, or find out how hardy they might be in USDA Zone
9/10 climates.  I'd appreciate it if anyone is growing
these, or knows of sources:

Sobralia macrantha- this one I do have in the garden,
and it is very showy when in bloom, although fairly
brief bloom period as far as orchids go.  Suncrest
Nursery used to grow this, but apparently lost its
stock plants back in the 1998 winter freeze,(mine were
also heavily damaged, but did recover, albeit slowly).
 I also have seen several unnamed species growing at
the botanic garden there along the coast in San Diego
County(can't remember the name...), as well as running
across this in the wild this past January while in
Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico.  It is an upright reed
stem type grower with large terminal flowers in mid
summer, and seems quite tolerant of cool coastal
California growing conditions, if not very drought
tolerant.  (In Mexico it is fully capable of surviving
4 to 6 months of drought, but this occurs in the
winter, rather than the summer).  Anyone know of
sources for this plant, or other species of Sobralia? 
I was also wondering if anyone knows the origin of the
species name "macrantha", as this is also    the
species name for another of my favorite plants,
Ruellia macrantha.

The other orchid that interests me is Spathoglottis
plicata, which I know is rather commonly grown in
south Florida, and I also saw quite abit of while in
Bali last summer.  The plant is fairly low growing, to
approximately 12" tall with foliage, and has flowers
similar in color and size to Bletilla striata.  The
bloom period is very long, approx. 3 to 4 months, and
it is quite showy when in bloom.  Is anyone growing
this in USDA zone 9/10 climates, or does it require
more winter warmth?  If this is possible to grow
outdoors here in coastal California, it surely ought
to become very popular.  Also, is this easy from seed?
 I have some if anyone is interested.

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