Half-hardy Orchids?

Does anyone know of any half-hardy Orchids (I suppose Japanese?), tolerant to about -10 to -15C, that can grow in the UK? (such as would get through winter with a nice mulch)

(That's half hardy as opposed to hardy)

 

Don't we have native orchids here in the uk?

 

Looking for something a bit bigger than a native Orchid. Not that I don't appreciate native Orchids.. but I'm not one for growing native plants in my garden. (apart from Asplenium scolopendrium).

 

I think there are some fairly hardy Slipper Orchids (Cyprepideum) but they can be quite tricky with regards to there soil and moisture requirements.

 

Spot on, although they can be very pricey!

Maybe your best bet as far as cost versus risk goes is Bletilla

On the whole though, any non native "hardy" orchids will be very fussy in terms of site and soil, and also smaller growing species too.

There are several candidates for pot growing - they can be hung on a wall/fence for the summer and stored frost free over the winter.
Habenaria radiata..................


Pleione..............


Roscoea is not an orchid (actually a member of the ginger family) but it certainly looks like it could be an orchid (if you're into slight of hand)...............

It's also fully hardy.

 

Pleione would be a good option.
Most are temperature hardy. But do need some protection in the early part of their growing cycle. Too much water will kill them if they haven't formed active roots yet.

 

Spot on advice! I suffered heavy losses last spring in the wet spell, particularly the young pseudo bulbs.

 

Bought myself some Pleione bulbs today, look forward to getting flowers from them!

 

They're not cheap so I bloomed mine indoors in a cool room for a couple of years, putting them out on fine days only. They went out for the summer (in a fairly shady spot) after any chance of frost. By far the best way to increase your stock rapidly. For the reasons that Sirius pointed out, water at first from the bottom. Make sure that the potting medium is good 'n airy. Only push them into the soil three or four mm - they are more or less balanced on the top of the soil in reality. Keep them safe from slugs and snails.

 

Ian Butterfield is the UK expert on Pleione.
I have been to a talk he has given on his travels in China. Very interesting.

He sometimes sells plants at the RHS Orchid Show which is held in March every year.

 

Coolsox
One other thing - take care not to damage/separate the small pseudobulbs from the bottom of the large one as you unpack them (assuming that they're in the plastic display rack packaging).

 

Thanks for the tips. All potted up now in a free draining, moss / bark / peat mix. I have four bulbs, all have one developing flower stem and one or two other growths.