How to Grow Poor Man's Orchid (Schizanthus Pinnatus)

Hi, this is Yolanda Vanveen, and in this segment we're going to learn all about the poor man's orchid, also known as schizanthus pinnatus. It's a beautiful annual from Chile. Schizanthus Pinnatus, also known as the butterfly flower, is actually related to petunias, and they grow naturally in the mountains of Chile, or Chilay; it depends on how you want to pronounce it, and they're very similar to the northwest in climate. They're on southern South America, so the winters still get a little bit of a freeze, and they really like the ocean climate and they do really well in that type of a condition. They don't like really hot, hot conditions. They like climates where it's not as hot. They have ferny leaves and orchid-like blooms that are brilliant purple, pinks, and reds with a gold in the center. They're just beautiful. They look like little mini orchids. So, the poor man's orchid is not an orchid in any way. It's an annual like a petunia, so you start it by seed every spring; it blooms all summer long. Then, you can save the seeds in the fall and start em' again. They're just a beautiful plant. And they're hardy to zones seven to eleven, so they can't handle a real heavy freeze, but they'll still do really well in mild climates, and you can just treat em' as a annual. And they're just a beautiful addition to your garden.