Re: Bletilla striata
Nan wrote:
>I have two pots of Bletilla striata, both of which have bloomed each of the
>two years I have had them. I was worried that my weather was not cold
>enough, but that has not been the case. I was thinking of planting one of
>my plants into the ground, beneath a crotolaria bush (don't know which sp.
>but its common name is "canary plant"). Any advice for growing Bletilla in
>the ground?
In cooler parts of the world they really do best in full sun - that
certainly applies to northern Europe, but I suspect you are just about
far enough south to get away with light shade - especially at midday.
A rich, well drained soil is best for these and whilst in active
growth, they really appreciate plenty of water. Like most tuberous
plants which have a definite dormant stage, they flower best if given
the opportunity to ripen fully in late summer with additional watering
being withheld from mid September onwards. Extra feeding, using a
balanced, liquid fertiliser can be applied at weekly intervals
immediately after flowering and this will ensure the tubers build up
to a good size, thus producing the longest flower spikes with the most
flowers. When planting out, I incorporate plenty of well rotted
manure plus liberal amounts of gritty sand.
There are several very nice forms - a pleasing lilac pink, a very
showy white and a variegated leaved variety which can have either
white or purple flowers. I've grown all of these at one time or
another and tend to prefer the variegated form with purple flowers - a
really big clump can be stunning.
Dave Poole
TORQUAY UK
http://www.ilsham.demon.co.uk/gardenviews.html
