bletilla, botanic garden, genetic diversity, ground orchids, hardy orchid, hardy orchids, JLBG, juniper level botanic garden, orchid, Plant Delights Nursery, seed pods, seed propagation, seedling, seedling variability, terrestrial orchids, Tony Avent, trial gardens, zone 7b
We’ve been playing around with growing bletilla orchids from seed. After growing several thousands from seed, we’ve settled on a few selections for production trials. Below are a few of those that we feel are unique enough from the selections already on the market.
What about colchine treatment for possible polyploidy and peloricism or semi-peloricism?
Herbicides like Surflan/Treflan are much more effective (and safer) for plant ploidy manipulation. We have played around with this in the past, but it’s not something we currently have the time to explore.
Are you able to grow these without using sterile invitro techniques that most orchids require?
Yes, bletilla are the only orchid we’ve been successful growing from seed without sterile conditions. We sow them like fern spores on a pot of sterile, fine potting soil, and drop the pot into a sealed ziploc bag until they germinate.