Are there any particular orchids that grow well in Texas?

Question

Houston climate in particular. Or is there a web site than can let me know which ones grow best if any at all.

Answer 1

There are terrestrial orchids native to North America. I grow a few Bletilla in zone 7b.

'Wild Orchids of Texas: A Field Guide' by Paul Martin Brown
'Wild Orchids of Texas' by Joe Liggio
http://plantanswers.tamu.edu/00promotions/orchids/growingorchids.html
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Orchids-727/Orchids-Texas.htm
http://www.hotos.org/
http://www.houstonorchidsociety.org/
http://www.orchidwire.com/Wild/1/NORTH_AMERICA.html
http://canada-gardens.com/northamericanorchids/
http://www.newnorth.net/~mruh/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ncorchid/sets/1003778/

Answer 2

I would say that any tropical orchid should do pretty well in Texas, provided that they are well watered and have access to good drainage. ALSO, they need to be kept in the shade, as full Texas sun, or sun anywhere will burn the leaves. if these two are met, then the orchids should adapt reasonably to your climate, just that you need to take them inside sometimes when the the weather is too hot 90f plus for a long time, or when the weather gets cold 30-40 f, then it would be best if you took your orchids inside for a little while. however, there is no reason why orchids should not do well at home. Just provide them with 70-80 F degree weather and most orchids should do reasonably well. However, you would want to reserve growing new world orchids from the andean mountain in your basement. These include lycaste, masdevallia, and dracula. These require a temperature of 60-70 degree weather, usually present in a basement, as well as high humidity. Visit AOS.org to find orchid care sheets, as each orchid has their own specific preferances, you may need to look and try a few orchids to see if they will grow in your climate.

Answer 3

Your best bet is Bletilla striata--it's easy to find (mail-order nurseries and bulb stores, probably at some nurseries in Houston), it's cheap, and easy to get to bloom. And it's hardy, so even one of those ocassional 20 degree cold snaps will not kill it (it's dormant in the winter). You can plant it in the ground or in a pot. Here's a wikipedia article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bletilla

Wikipedia says: "They have a great reputation of being the absolute easiest orchid for a beginner to grow."

Bletilla is not native, unlike what's suggested in the current version of the answer above (Bletilla mysteriously "appeared" apparently in response to my answer). It is from Asia (Chinese ground orchid).

If you are looking for other types of orchids that might be able to make it outside all or most of the year, I'm sure there are some. I used to live in Houston, but didn't grow orchids. Now I grow a lot--in L.A. Info on this can be surprisingly difficult to find--I say this from personal experience. Houston winters (not so different from L.A.) are such that you are borderline able to grow a lot of beautiful plants. Try contacting your local orchid society--they get this question all the time. They will also know where to buy plants. Good luck!

http://www.houstonorchidsociety.org/

It looks like you can just send them an email.

The Santa Barbara Orchid Estate has a list of temperature-tolerant orchids (32-100F) along with a few that can take even colder temps. Some of these need cool nights to bloom. The people there are extremely helpful. One of the owners (Alice) lived in Houston briefly while at Rice, so she will be familiar with the climate. Here's their website and a smaller list of their extra hardy (24-100F) orchids:

http://www.sborchid.com/
http://www.sborchid.com/sboe_hardy_orchids.php


I just remembered that reedstem epidendrums are an excellent beginner's plant (usually potted). They can take the heat/humidity and the cold, although you'd want to protect them if temps fell below freezing. They are tall, with clumps of small flowers and bloom for a long time. Some people like them more than others. I'm guessing you'd be able to find them in Houston somewhere.

http://www.calorchid.com/CALO/images/2ProductsPix/2imgs_Epidendrum/LG_Epi__basket.jpg
http://www.clanorchids.com/image/epirad1.jpg

And if you really want a native orchid, they're pretty tricky. I would recommend Encyclia tampensis, which grows on trees around Tampa, FL. You can grow it in a pot or mounted. It's not incredibly showy, but it's a very vigorous grower and fragrant.
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Answer 4

I am in TX and found out that Orchids (any type) require too much effort for me. lol
My father-in-law tried to raise some indoors, but they died. He has more now...keeping them outdoors in this massive heat, but has them underneath his roofed back deck. They are flourishing...he waters the WELL drained pot every other day.