Species Orchid, Ground Orchid, The Formosan Bletilla
Bletillaformosana

Family: Orchidaceae (or-kid-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Bletilla (bleh-TIL-uh)
Species: formosana (for-MOH-sa-nuh)

Synonym:Bletia formosana

Synonym:Bletia kotoensis

Synonym:Bletia morrisonicola

Synonym:Bletilla morrisonicola

Synonym:Bletilla szetschuanica

Category
Perennials
Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade

Foliage
Deciduous
Smooth
Velvet/Fuzzy

Foliage Color

Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)

Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)

Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual

Danger

Bloom Color
Blue-Violet
Lavender
White/Near White

Bloom Characteristics

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Mid Spring
Late Spring/Early Summer

Other details

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)

Seed Collecting
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed