How to Grow Beautiful African Ground Orchids

Do not let African ground orchids sit in standing water.

The orchid family contains more than 20,000 species grown all over the world. Unlike other orchids that grow from the bark of trees and shrubs, African ground orchids, or terrestrial orchids, grow on the ground and develop a root system. These plants do not grow climbing stems or aerial roots. When growing beautiful African ground orchids, pay special attention to soil preparation and moisture content.

Things You'll Need

• Rototiller
• Pine bark, peat or well rotted compost
• Shovel
• Sand
• Perlite
• Organic or slow release fertilizer

Instructions

1. Choose a planting site that is not prone to flooding. Many orchids, including Nun's orchid and Spathoglottis, need a dry location to grow. If planting bamboo orchid, build a raised soil bed.

2. Check the sunlight requirements of the terrestrial orchid. Most need full sun but some, such as Nun's orchid, prefer shade in the hottest part of the day.

3. Till the ground to loosen the soil for root growth. Work the soil to a depth of 10 to 12 inches. Nun's orchid and Spathoglottis have deep and extensive root systems so incorporate organic matter into the local soil to enrich it. Spread decomposed pine bark, peat or well rotted compost until the planting area is made up of 60 to 70 percent matter. If necessary, improve drainage with sand and perlite.

4. Dig a hole wider than the root mass, but the same depth as the orchid was planted in the nursery. Place the orchid in the hole and fill in around it with the removed soil.

5. Water the ground orchids. Many, like bamboo orchid, need consistently moist soil. When the foliage of Nun's orchids matures, however, let the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry out between waterings. Spathoglottis is prone to root rot, so let the top inch dry out between waterings.

6. Spread an organic or slow release fertilizer around each orchid. Nun's orchid should be fed every three months; bamboo orchid needs food every six to eight weeks and Spathoglottis should be fertilized with a light layer at planting.

References

• PlantzAfrica; Orchids in Southern Africa; Hubert Kurzweil; September 2000
• Miami-Dade County/University of Florida Cooperative Extension Office; Terrestrial Orchids for Southern Florida; Joe Garofalo; 2001