I have nil Pterostylis, but curta is supposed to be easy to grow.

Occurs in NSW, VIc, ACT and Tas. Quoting from Native Orchids of Aust. " A very widespread species commonly of open forests (especially along stream banks) but which also grows in other habitats."

Spoke to a Native Orchid Guru, He said it needs a well drained medium that retains a bit of moisture. Some growers here add Dried Bracken Fern or dried Casuarina needles to the mix. I assume that Bracken Fern might grow world wide and Casuarina might be an ornamental in CA.

Do you let them go completely dry in the summer or is it better to take the corms out and save them for replanting in the fall? I've done my share of spud farming but these guys did not do well staying in the pot this summer and going dry. will not repeat that.

Nick

Hi Nick:

Thanks again for sharing a few of the little corms with me. I summered them in two groups. The first and larger group went in a clay "bulb pan" type pot with medium/course potting soil type mix with charcoal and perlite. They faired way better than the ones in a little plastic pot with the same mix. They resented the plastic pot, I think, not enough air circulation/drying out. Both were left in the greenhouse under a bench in the shade. Little to almost no water.

I grew them inside on a windowsill, though, as the greenhouse was too cold this winter when temps stayed below zero. eek.

The ones in the clay pot have just finished blooming (second year) and I will leave them in the pot again - or may dig them up to see if they have multiplied. Thanks again and good luck !

Maryanne in frigid Massachusetts