I’m in 6A and have some Bletilla that does very well. I was looking at Ponerorchis a few years ago and for some reason I didn’t think they would work in this zone. I was thinking about potting some and burying the pots a foot down and covering with mulch over winter. For some reason I never followed through.

If you are interested in the hardy slipper orchids, try contacting Wayne ofRoberts Flower Supply. He sells a number of different species and can give you an idea of what one(s) may fit your areas conditions.

Looks like a great place to buy and get information. Thanks, Paul.

Bletilla species and hybrids have proven hardy, the only issue is they like to start growth and get frost nipped here. They multiply quite vigorously.

Other orchids haven't liked my climate much...too hot and dry (Oklahoma at that time), even some that are weeds elsewhere (Epipactis), never felt I could afford to gamble with Calanthe as it's not cheap.

Oh, I forgot to mention that a couple of species of spiranthes used to call my yard home back in Oklahoma, so they were certainly easy and kinda cute.

I've often considered trying Cyps outdoors, but never followed through (not the right outside yard conditions without a lot of work) . Here is a sight that sells cyps for outside growing. Not cheap!!!

Raising Rarities

Good luck,

Bob

Bob, maybe after line breeding some of those wonderful Cyps might have been selected for hardiness and would be easier than wild collected plants.

There is a huge variety of terrestrial native orchids available here, but most are difficult, not because of climate, but getting the right conditions in the potting material (fungi etc.)

An easy growing terrestrial is Stenoglottis woodii (From Africa).

Arthur, the poster wouldn't find Stenoglottis winter hardy I'm afraid.

Yes, I know, but the posts had wandered off topic....Real orchid growers might know where "Hardy" starts. ZONE???????

Anyway, Stenoglottis woodii spends winter in a cold, unheated glass-house down the yard where night time temps might get down to about 40F a few times a year. Brrrrrr. Lol.

Arthur, my ZONE??????? is in my name, and in parentheses after my name in all my posts.

Bill, I was saying where does "hardy" start. This is all a mystery to people who live in the sub tropics. Hardy, I guess means places that get regular snowfall in winter and orchids survive in those places I suppose because the snow keeps the plants & soil underneath from freezing solid.

Native American Terrestrial Orchids might be a better description, but some would come from warmer places and perhaps Hardy doesn't apply there?

Yes, Arthur, there I guess it could mean 'thrives vigorously'.

Hillside Nursery is a well-respected grower in western Massachusetts specializing in Cypripediums.

http://www.hillsidenursery.biz/