Many gardeners are afraid to grow orchids in their garden for their reputation as high-maintenance plants and they require a little more coddling than other plants. But all orchids are not the same. There is a special type of orchid named ground orchid, that can grow directly to the ground.
Growing ground orchids can reward you with 2-foot spikes of brightly colored, exotic-looking flowers in the color of white, lavender, violet, light pink, orange, and yellow that blooms continually throughout the growing season. Besides, the icing on the cake is that ground orchids are very easy to take care of like other bedding plants, even for novice gardeners.
Ground orchids or popularly known as the Spathoglottis Plicata or garden orchids are basically the terrestrial orchids of the family Orchidaceae that envelope in the soil instead of in the air on the tree branches.
Being native to warm climates, this plant can grow all the years around in central and southern Florida. However, it also can thrive well indoors in a container in a cool climate.
As these orchids do well in the ground, thus it is planted as well-suited bedding plant in warm climates. With their tall spikes and beautiful constant blooms, this ground orchid plant makes a striking landscape statement.
Often called garden orchids, these ground orchids naturally occur throughout the Pacific, Indonesia, India, and northern Australia but now have been introduced into tropical gardens in the Florida and Texas areas.
Ground orchids or popularly known as the Spathoglottis Plicata or garden orchids are basically the terrestrial orchids of the family Orchidaceae that envelope in the soil instead of in the air on the tree branches. Click To TweetCaring guide of ground orchids
Soil
Being a forgiving plant, ground orchids can grow well in general orchid mixes, or a combination of orchid mixes and soilless potting mix.
But it requires a good peat-based, well-drained, moderately moist, organic soil mix. So if you are growing the plant in the ground, mix some peat with the soil to create a mixture that will drain well.
If the soil is water retentive, you can also grow it in raised beds, or containers.
Water
When it comes to ground orchids, watering is very much essential for them. This plant requires a lot of water, but can’t stand when its roots are constantly wet and can cause root rots. Water the plant regularly, but ensure that the top layer of the soil dries out before watering again.
Too little flowers also can let the flowers to wilt, shrivel, and dried up. Likewise, too much water also can accumulate harmful bacteria around the ground orchids that can eventually kill the plant.
In a warm areas, this plant requires watering on daily basis, but in a protected area, it requires watering twice a week.
Supplying nutrients in the form of organic matter is essential for the healthy growth of plants without burning them with too many fertilizers. Click To TweetFertilizer
To prompt flowering plants to grow flowers, they require some fertilizer on a regular basis.
Being a heavy feeder, ground orchids require daily fertilization. The plant requires repeated fertilizer every four to six months.
Constant liquid fertilization of nitrogen works well in the case of ground orchids, however, the slow release fertilizer is more reliable than the supply of consistent nitrogen which produces abundant blooms.
If the soil is nutrient-poor, you can increase the nutrient level by incorporating compost into the soil and by applying more compost around plants at the beginning of each growing season.
Supplying nutrients in the form of organic matter is essential for the healthy growth of plants without burning them with too many fertilizers.
Lights
The ground orchids can tolerate light shade to full sun and generally prefers direct sun to bloom.
They grow best when they are provided light shade from the harmful rays of the sun. although they prefer bright light, they can tolerate direct light in the heat of the day.
Temperature
The ground orchids prefer warm temperatures. Thus it requires a temperature between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
In colder regions, it is planted in pots. So that when the temperature is cooler, it can bring to indoor or to greenhouse conditions. If the temperature go lower, the plants may drop leaves, and become dormant.
Humidity
Ground orchids can’t tolerate extreme humidity. They can tolerate up to 75-80% of humidity. However, this level of humidity is not required but they prefer it.
Spacing
While planting a ground orchid, plant them with a space of 3-6 inches between each other to ensure the proper growth and development of the plant.
Ground orchids as a container plant
Ground orchids can be used for container gardening. The container provides the plant with good drainage and the flexibility to control the growing medium of the plant adding a rich organic potting mix with perlite ensures good drainage.
Besides, raising the plant as a container plant provides you the flexibility of portability that is to move them indoors when the outside is too cold for the plant to survive.
As the roots of the plants are shallow, this plant requires a container with more width than depth. For example, you can choose a bowl shape planter for the growth of this plant.
After planting the ground orchis in the right container, place the plant in a partial shade location that is protected from the afternoon sun, and also make sure to keep the soil of the plant moderately moist.
Propagation of ground orchids
Ground orchids are the species of an orchid that is extremely adaptable and easy to grow. Thus the propagation of this plant can be done by division.
In the process of propagation, plants are generally separated from large clumps without injuring the roots and are planted in a pot or a container or in the ground with required spacing.
Before planting, make the ready for the plantation. Enrich the soil with garden soil, cow dung, leaf mold, etc. you can also add some charcoal and broken bricks to make the growing medium lose that ensuring roots spread easily.
Water the plants regularly and let the soil dry out, before rewatering the plant. Add some good fertilizer rich in nitrogen to enhance its growth. Place the plant in a proper place where it can get the light and shade in the right amount.
After the blooming of flowers, cut the flower stem and remove the rotten and dead foliage regularly.
Repotting of ground orchids
If the plant is growing in the ground it is not required repotting. Bu repotting is essential if you are growing it in a pot or a container. Repotting should be done once the remaining soil gets depleted, and the container should be filled with a rich organic potting mixture.
While repotting ensures that the roots don’t get damaged as the root systems are fairly extensive.
Problems related to ground orchids
The primary problem of a ground orchid is root rot. If the roots start rooting, it can result in the death of the plant. But you can save it by growing the plant in garden soil that drains well or in raised beds or containers.
Slugs and snails can also become the occasional pests that can damage the plant. They can be prevented by using a commercial slug trap or making a mixture by yourself. To make this, add 3 tablespoons of yeast into warm water and pour the mixture into a container. Bury this container in the soil near the ground orchids to keep it out from bugs and insects.
If the leaves are bleaching out, or turning yellow, it might be caused due to getting an inappropriate amount of heavy sunlight and placed in a hot, dunny, and dried place. This problem of the plant can be prevented by keeping the plant out of its place and placing it in a space that is appropriate for its growth.
Conclusion
Orchids are always famed as heavy maintenance plants. So it is not popular among the gardeners. But ground orchids are such a species that doesn’t require too much maintenance and can be grown easily.
So growing ground orchids in your garden don’t take your time and effort. So let the ground orchids increase the beauty of your garden.
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