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Asian Gardening California Gardening Orchids

What orchid can I plant in the ground outside? NorCal zone 9b

2 years ago

Relatively inexperienced on orchid growing....

I am looking for some suggestions to select maybe 3-5 orchids to grown in the ground of a courtyard space, which is mostly under bright shade (shade from the house structure and nearby trees) and gets probably 1-2 hours afternoon sun everyday.

My orchid experience level:

I grow phalaenopsis indoor, had multiple attempts on and off in the past 10 years. This year, I finally got my very FIRST flower stalk! Also, in the past (many years ago, in a different house), I had put one cymbidium outdoor in the ground under shade, just left it outside without much attention, surprisingly Cymbidium seemed to live fine.... That experience gave me some confidence that Orchid is probably not as difficult to grow as I had thought....

For my couryard project, I assume cymbidium can be one option, based on my past experience. How about other types or it is better to stick with cymbidium for outside in zone 9b?

I am very happy to find the Orchid forum on Houzz. Great to be around with the experts! Is there a local specialty orchid nursery close to SF bay area?

Featured Answer

gyr_falcon

2 years ago

There are quite a few others. I have Bletilla, Sobralia, various Encyclias, Epidendrum and Dendrobium kingianum. The Sobralias have lovely foliage, and reliable bloom in July for me. Bletillas have nice foliage for most of the year, have an extended spring bloom, and are super easy and, if allowed, will spread to fill in a bed.

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Comments (7)

chadinlg Zone 9b Los Gatos CA
2 years ago
They will still need good drainage - raised bed with bark mix... not dirt
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gyr_falcon
2 years ago
Yes, to the drainage, but not necessarily needing a raised bed and amendments. Our soil is on the sandy side. Mine went straight into the dirt, no amendments. The bletilla have even filled in the hell strip, after we just removed the concrete and stuck some in the ground around a sycamore. It is a lousy photo, but as you can see, they are thriving even there.
stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
2 years ago
For other Orchid's that you can grow outdoors under a patio or porch? Masdevallia,Cattleya and hybrids,Laelia orchids are very hardy. Even those Trader Joe and Home Depot Oncidiums and Odontoglossums can do well. They have for me so far.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
2 years ago
I would not recommend planting any epiphytic orchid in the ground. These are not soil dwelling orchids and do not appreciate the heaviness of garden soil. Root rots can develop quickly. Terrestrial or ground orchids like the Bletilla or Cyprepedium/lady slippers will do best in the ground. All others should be grown in containers with a suitable, very aerated orchid medium.
stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
2 years ago
No,I meant to mean,in pots. Protected from cold rains some Orchids do fine otherwise..in pots.
stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
2 years ago
Not many mentions on the net on growing the tropical orchids outdoors in the bay area. So,I tossed those tidbits in.😁

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