Bletilla striata var. striata(hyacinth orchid, "Shiran")
Japanese name: シラン（紫蘭） Scientific name:Bletilla striata var. striata
[Overview]
A perennial 30–70 cm tall, growing on sunny, moist slopes such as embankments.
The underground pseudobulbs are flattened and spherical, and lie side by side.
Several leaves grow from the base; they are lanceolate, 20–30 cm long and 2–5 cm wide, with conspicuous lengthwise wrinkles on the surface.
A raceme bears 3–7 flowers.
The flowers are purplish red, and the sepals and lateral petals are oblong.
The lip is 3-lobed and has 5 ridges.
[Uses]
The rhizome is used medicinally.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by division or from seed.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained place.
If the environment suits it, it grows well even when left alone, and since the pseudobulbs spread readily, it is best to plant potted specimens in a rather large pot.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
In addition to base fertilizer, give liquid fertilizer once or twice a month from spring to autumn, and also place slow-release fertilizer on the soil.
Slugs can be a pest.
