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Florida Gardening

Ground Orchid Question

15 years ago

I have three "Grapette" Ground Orchids (spathoglottis) that have been hanging in there during the nights in the low 40's and high 30's, even though they seem to be listed as not hardy below 40 degrees. Will this upcoming freeze tonight finish them off, or will they die to the ground and come back? Anyone have experience with these during what might be 3 nights of 30 to 32 degree weather? Out of everything in my yard, I would hate to lose these most, I think. (I'm actually considering covering them up instead of just watching them croak, if that's what they will likely do.)

Marcia

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Comments (5)

olyagrove
15 years ago
Marcia, I have forgotten a few of mine last year, and we had temps below 32 once. They lived/came back.
I will bring them in or cover them, though - why take a chance
manature
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks, Olya! If I can get Mark to help me, I might cover them. I swore I wouldn't cover ANYTHING, though, and would eliminate anything that died from my gardens in the future. So, if I make allowances, it's like breaking a promise to myself to redo my garden with hardier plants. *sigh* What to do, what to do? Guess I'll see what kind of mood I'm in when Mark gets home.

Marcia
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Miss Marcia...last year I planted 3 'grapettes' and one other form of ground orchid out front directly in the ground under a clump of palms, although they were getting too much sun in that spot. Granted, the ground is very poor there and mostly sand, but they hung on...not quite dying, but looking bad...really bad...and definitely refused to bloom again despite being fed on a regular basis. Here's the 'Grapette' and the other early on last year: They declined after a few months and never did much but sit there and take up room...LOL Last month I dug them all out and potted them up in a large wide container with humus and a really enriched soil...also threw in a handful of Osmocote for good measure. I placed the pot under our live oak tree so it was in partial sun only and they get hosed down every other morning when I 'hit' all my other orchids. They are thriving now and I'm just thrilled! Apparently, they're fussier than normal orchids...LOL They're lovely when in bloom and judging from the way mine look, won't be long. Good luck!
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solstice98
15 years ago
Marcia, for what it's worth, I didn't cover mine. But they are right up against a brick wall so I'm counting on the wall protecting them a little and maybe even giving off a little heat from the day. Of course, as I'm reading this post I'm thinking I should run out and throw a towel over them...

Kate
manature
Original Author
15 years ago
I didn't cover mine, either, Kate. I just don't have it in me. If they make it, or they come back from the base, fine. If they don't, I don't want to grow them anyway. Mark brought in the Ruby Siam banana (the ONE I still have alive) and another ornamental banana, and that's about it. I will probably be sorry when all this cold weather passes, as I'm sure I will lose quite a bit in 3 nights' worth of it. But I can't help it. It will just make it easier for me to know what I DON'T want to grow any more.

Marcia
patiogardener3
15 years ago
I happen to love Ground Orchids. As a newbie to Florida, (been here 2 1/2 years) they made my short list of favorite plants. UNTIL...I started to try to grow them!!! Maybe it's location or the finicky first year, but oh man...it's been a tough ride! I also have Grapettes, and since planting them in early October, they have bent, burned, died back...now they're practically just stubble. But I am not giving up! I have covered them these last 2 nights, and darn it, they WILL be beautiful this spring!

P.S...Any advice? ;)

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