Hi today I received a clump of bletilla from a local gardener. Should I plant them in the ground now, or plant them in a pot and bring them indoors on very cold nights? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I grew mine in the ground in NC ( zone 7B).. They were quite happy... I would go ahead and plant them now .

Thank you Lindsey. I'll go ahead and plant them then. Did you have yours in full sun? Sadly my flowerbeds are either full shade or in areas that get only western sun, which can be very intense in Summer.

I would choose full shade over full sun. Most importantly: enough moisture, they will flourish even in almost swamp like-conditions.. I grow mine in a place with a little morning sun, but I live much, much more northern and even that is more than enough sun for them.

Ruud

I grow mine here in NJ against the South-facing and very sunny house wall, and make sure they are watered plenty. They multiplied really nicely over the years.

Reading Ruud's post, they seem to tolerate a fairly wide range of conditions.

I definitely appreciate everyone's input. Here we frequently have temperatures above 100 with very little rainfall in Summer. I have the hardest time keeping my other plants watered even the drought tolerant ones. I'll just have to really amend my shade garden because the soil is 100% clay and with three large cedar trees, the soil stays dry. I have aspidistra, English ivy, nandinas, and liriope, so the bletillas will add some nice color. This is the first time I've grown a hardy orchid so I really hope I'm successful? Thanks everyone.

So, if I am reading all your growers of Bletilla, they would be quite hardy in my zone 8a growing conditions. I can give them mostly shade with either early morning or very late afternoon sun. I assume spring would be a better time to put them in the ground or in (outside) pots?

I planted mine in NC in the fall and the spring...
Cameron, is there anyway you could rig up a small drip irrigation just to
that one little area? I know water is scarce especially during the summer heat.
Lowes used to sell a small kit made by MisterMister.( I think) set it up with a timer
that they also sell...my shade garden was a dry spot and I ran a short length of the
system just for the bletilla...it made a huge difference for my plants!

Lindsey that's a great idea. I wonder if the kits are expensive? I have a couple of timers but I dont have a plug or faucet on the front side of my house. I don't know why they made this house like that but it's very inconvenient. I maybe moving next year so I just planted them in a pot. I'll bring them indoors on very cold days. I know they would do much better in the ground but I don't know what my living situation will be next year? I'll look in Lowe's to see how much the Mistermister hose is, thanks for that suggestion.

No Cameron, there is a kit for $32.
It includes 50' hose and 5 sprayers...it's called Mister Landscaper Drip Irrigation Landscape Kit

Thanks again Lindsey, I'll write that down.

I have used Mr. Landscaper drip irrigation kits for many years - they are great. The timers are an added expense but they are very easy to use and you have infinite options for watering both in how long it runs to how often, from once a week to several times a day. There is even a rain sensor on the newer models.

My Bletilla are in a good bit of morning sun.

It's good to hear the Mr. Landscaper is a great product. I'll look for one next year Bletillas definitely sound like they're tolerant of various conditions.