Growth Habits of Chinese Ground Orchids

Background and Origin

• The Chinese ground orchid is a member of the Orchidaceae family. This terrestrial orchid species is actually native to southern Japan and China. In Japan, it is referred to as "shi-ran," or "purple orchid." In China, it is known as "pai chi." Bletilla is a diminutive form of Bletia, a genus of orchids native to the New World.

Growth Habit

• Chinese ground orchid is not considered a deciduous orchid, but rather a herbaceous perennial or a geophyte. Geophyte is the more accurate description, because it refers to plants that grow from bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers or tuberous roots, and Chinese ground orchids grow from rhizomes. These plants, with flowers that measure less than 2 inches across, grow to a height of between 12 and 18 inches. Once they're established, new shoots grow off the rhizomes, and these connect to new corms that develop. Eventually, additional fibrous roots emerge from all over the corm, allowing it to become an individual plant.

Care and Culture

• The ideal planting location for Chinese ground orchids is an area with partial shade, such as under trees, shrubs, arbors or in a wooded area. The plants do well in warm, temperate climates, although they tolerate the cold winters of USDA hardiness zone 6. Gardeners should amend soil with significant amounts of organic matter, and make sure the planting area has adequate drainage. Between March and August -- the growing season -- water the orchids once weekly and fertilize them every six to eight weeks with all-purpose fertilizer. The orchids need soil that is consistently moist but not excessively wet. If the soil is too wet, it causes a decline in plant health or root rot. To ensure adequate soil moisture during the growing season, maintain a 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch, either with compost or ground-up leaves.

Propagation

• Propagate Chinese ground orchids by division, but only with well established plants. Allow plants to grow long enough that they spread -- this allows them to produce new corms that will become new plants. Dig up the entire clump and remove any excess soil. Examine the clump to find new shoots attached to the new corms. Separate them into smaller divisions and then replant immediately. The ideal time to divide plants is at the end of the bloom season in fall, because leaves die back then and this allows new divisions to establish themselves before winter.