Re: bletilla

I nave tried Calanthe sieboldii twice and they do not survive the winter
here.  I am trying tricarinata this winter  All of the Asian orchids I grow
are mulched heavily.  Calanthe discolor is evergreen and needs the leaves
preserved over the winter just like holly ferns or harts tongue ferns.  The
one thing about Calanthe is that the bloom stalk is intolerant of any frost.
It blooms early at the end of creeping phlox time.  There is one or two hard
freezes while the spikes are emerging so I have to cover them every year.  I
use overturned clay pots or washtubs and if serve I put burlap or an old
blanket on it.  I got my Calanthe discolor about twenty years ago mail order
from Japan and have had no trouble with it at all.
Frank Cooper
Urbana, Illinois  USA  Zone 5b
Record low temp -27 F (-32.8 C)
Record high temp 105 F (40 C)

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