Bletia

Bletia is a genus which includes about 50 terrestrial species of orchids. The bletia species has distinct 2-4 long pointed elliptic leaves that grow out of underground or surface bulbs, which die during the dry season without leaving a trace. The erect flower spike of this orchid grows after the period of rest is over and bears 3-5 showy flowers of medium size. This orchid being easy to cultivate are very popular among collectors , they require a sandy medium enriched with peat, semi-shade and a period of rest after the leaves fall. The taxonomy of Bletia is still ful of confusion, and it is frequently mixed up with the orchids of the genus Bletilla that are similar in apperance and partly frost-resistant . They are, nevertheless, quite easy to distinguish the flower spikes of Bletia grow out of old, leafless pseudobulbs, and not during the shooting of new shoots.They bloom durign the spring and the original home of the genus is tropical America.