Hi Jim: The populations I have seen in the wild grow on the edges of seasonal streams, or in seeps. They are usually lightly shaded, but I have also seen it growing in full sun in quite dry conditions. In wet conditions, it is usually on banks, so although it is wet it is also well drained. I haven't ever seen it in low wet spots. I think, though, it prefers some shade and moisture. I grow it in large pots in a very humusy mix, but I think it's quite adaptable. Since it emerges in spring (not winter, like other CA natives), and it can also grow at elevations of up to 2600 meters (according to Jepson), I imagine it is quite hardy, probably to zone 5 or 6 (maybe even lower). Anyway, it can definitely take freezing, and is worth a try for those in the states that have real winters. If you grow it in pots, you need to repot virtually every year or it ends up all around the edge of the pot. Propagation is by division of the rhizome. Diana ----- Original Message ----- From: "James Waddick" <jwaddick@kc.rr.com> To: "diana chapman" <rarebulbs@earthlink.net>; "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 9:43 AM Subject: Re: [pbs] Epipactis gigantea > >Hi Mary Sue > > > >Epipactis gigantea is one of those rarities in the orchid world - it is so > >easy to grow anyone can do it! ... I grow it in large pots,... but > >really does better in the ground. > > Dear Mary Sue, Diana et al; > Any experience growing in colder climates in the ground? Sun or shade? > > Growing tips? > > Best Jim W. > -- > Dr. James W. Waddick > 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. > Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 > USA > Ph. 816-746-1949 > E-fax 419-781-8594 > > Zone 5 Record low -23F > Summer 100F + >