TERRESTRIAL ORCHIDS (GROUND ORCHIDS)

About 30,000 species of orchids come from all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica. As you can imagine, they come from a wide range of habitats and each type of orchid has different care requirements. Their incredible diversity also means you can always find another interesting orchid type to grow.

Most orchids are epiphytes that grow on trees. Terrestrial orchids, or ground orchids, obviously need somewhat different care! The main differences have to do with the type of potting mix used. Most orchids from temperate regions are terrestrial, but there are plenty from tropical areas too. Different orchid types have different climate considerations, such as light, water, and temperatures, so I won't address those here.

Most ground orchids still don't grow in dirt! Bogs, leaf litter, and clumps of moss are more common. So they should still have a freely draining, airy potting mix. But it should have considerably smaller particles than you'd use for epiphytes. A mixture of equal parts sand, sphagnum moss, and gravel or fine-grade fir bark is a good starting point. Some plants like to be kept moist, while others come from drier climates; adjust the water-retentiveness of the potting mix accordingly. For example, Cypripediums come from bogs, and can tolerate a somewhat denser mix, so recommend equal parts sand and peat.

Some of these plants don't like their roots disturbed. For these, use potting mixes that last a number of years before they break down! Inorganic components, such as sand, gravel, perlite, and lava rock last practically forever. Peat also lasts well, because it has preservative properties: long-dead people are sometimes discovered sunk in peat bogs, undecayed!

As with all orchids, the key to growing these is to reproduce their natural habitats. Mimic the sorts of materials they'd be growing in naturally, and they'll do well.

Spathoglottis plicata

This ground orchid is a native of Southeastern Asia (Malaysia) to the Philippines, is the common species of Orchid which blooms round the year. This easily grown terrestrial herb has pretty, arching broad leaves with prominent parallel veins and a few or large cluster of small flowers at the end of a long stalk as tall as 1 metre arising from a basal leaf axil. The flowers are seen from the more common purple to white, yellow, peach, pink and magenta shades. and The leaves emerge from round pseudo bulbs that become increasingly multiple and larger as the orchid matures. Ground orchids can be grown as potted plants and also do well in beds and borders.

Spathoglottis, including the Ground Orchid, Spathoglottis plicata, are terrestrial orchids with showy, often purple, flowers. They are often included in flower gardens in areas where temperatures stay above freezing.

The Spathplicata can flower from June through September, these particular varieties have purple two toned blooms.  This means enough light in the winter and early spring to give them enough stored energy to bloom. It is suggested to  pot these orchids in clay pots, with about 2 inches of river stones on the bottom to increase air flow and drainage. This is an important step, since most houseplants die from overwatering, not under watering. Then mixed standard potting soil in with about 20% extra perlite, once again to improve drainage and also to prevent compaction of the roots.

Although not very well known in India, Spathoglottis plicata is the most common terrestrial (ground dwelling) orchid in Singapore, where it is often used for landscaping.

There are two species of spathoglottis in India (Assam) and Bhutan, and they belong to a group of over 40 species distributed from tropical Asia to Australia and the Pacific islands

Plant details

Common name: Spathoglottis, or garden orchid

Botanic name: Spathoglottis plicata

Description: Tropical terrestrial orchid. Softly textured, pleated leaves to 1m (3') long emerge in February from egg-shaped pseudobulbs about 5cm (2") in diameter. The flowers range in colour from white to purple and are borne on erect spikes to 1m (3') tall. Flowers open a few at a time at the top of the stem and each stem can last for months.

Best climate: The tropics, Assam, Western and Eastern Ghates and the north coast of Western India.

Good points: Showy white/mauve/purple flowers free flowering easy to grow

Care: Spathoglottis can be grown in the garden or in containers with plenty of room for the roots. They like a well-drained soil or potting mix, and need plenty of moisture throughout the growing season.

Some information concerning this plant:
a) Native plant of Malaysia
b) Common Name - Pleated Leaf Spathoglottis. These are locally known here as palm orchid.(actually found out later as Ground Orchid). When they do not flower, the leaves look exactly like palm leaves.
Planting conditions:
a) Over watering may cause fungal problem
b) Need evenly moist - do tolerate few days of dry period.
c) Well drain - deep pots may needed as roots go deep.
d) May need more nutrient compared to average plant.

Ground orchids are orchids which grow in the soil, rather than in the air, like the epiphytic orchids with which many people are more familiar. A number of orchid species grow in the ground, with Bletilla striata and Spathoglottis plicata being two popular ornamental cultivars. People who are interested in growing these orchids can find them at some nurseries and garden supply stores, or they can order them from specialty growers.

These plants produce pseudo bulbs from which the leaves and flowers develop. The leaves tend to be spear-like and deep green, and can be quite long in some species. The flowers emerge in a cluster on a long stalk, and they may be purple, white, yellow, or variegated, with some cultivars coming in more exotic shades. Most species are native to Southeast Asia, with Borneo being a region which is particularly famous for its ground orchids.

Like other orchids, ground orchids have evolved to prefer the environment of the tropical and subtropical rainforest. They prefer damp, humid conditions which reflect their natural environment, and they like to be grown in partial shade. Full sun is too intense for these orchids. These orchids are less fussy about having wet roots than orchids which have developed to grow in the air, but they can develop mold and mildew if they are allowed to stay wet for too long.
Some cultivars are very fragile, and will only grow well in warm areas or in well-controlled greenhouses. Chinese ground orchids are famously hardy, with delicate flowers and leaves which can be quite charming in the garden. People may also see ground orchids labeled as yellow, purple, Bornean, or Philippine ground orchids in a nursery. Rather than relying on common names, gardeners should find out about the scientific name of an orchid so that they can get proper directions about its care.

In addition to being grown outdoors in the garden, ground orchids can also be cultivated indoors. They can be less challenging to grow than epiphytic orchids because they do not require a highly specialized planting mix and attentive care. Like their canopy dwelling cousins, when ground orchids are grown indoors, they should be kept out of direct sunlight and provided with ample bright ambient light. If a house is particularly dark, it may be necessary to use a grow light to coax ground orchids into thriving.

Not surprisingly, ground orchids are found growing in soil, unlike their tropical brethren that we are accustomed to thinking as orchids, for example the genus Cattleya.  The name "ground orchid" itself is a misnomer, and even then the more technical term, terrestrial orchid, is in part inaccurate.  The reason why has to do with the substrates these highly varied plants are found in naturally.  Some are found in loamy soils of forests, while others colonize old sand dunes.  

Probably some of the best known terrestrial orchids are in the genera Bletilla, Cypripedium, and Orchis.  Many have gotten the name hardy orchid because some colorful flowered species are found in temperate regions.  Of course not all terrestrial orchids are from temperate climates, in fact, they can be found as far north as the Arctic Circle and all the way down to the very south end of Patagonia.  They live in any climate zone, from tropical to subarctic.  Not surprisingly, their cultural needs are equally as varied.

If your growing conditions are right, you will find many others that too could be called easy - genera such as Dactylorihza and Pterostylis have members that fall in that category.  Many more are challenging - the vast bulk of the popular genus Cyripedium, many of the acidic bog species, and most of the tropical jewel orchids all need more care and attendance to than a typical tropical orchid.  

Others still defy cultivation completely, at least under normal growing conditions - these would include all of the chlorophyll lacking saprophytes, and  yet others such as Cypripedium irapeanum.

A few pictures of Spathoglottis ground orchid are appended belo: