Orchid question

[Beekeeper]

In my pal's wildlife garden, 1 1/4 acres of pure wildlife heaven, he has one only Common Spotted Orchid which has numerous seed pods, he asked me today how to grow them.

I do know Orchid seed are germinated in a sterile enviroment or Lab and i don't wish to know any more as it looks quite difficult, but how is it they acutually survive at all in the wild and of course cross pollinate and populate other areas.

If they can do this sucessfully in the wild in a non sterile and probably imperfect enviroment, are we missing something?

BK

[KeenTeen17]

The cultivating and growing of orchids is very complicated indeed. Most orchids rely on a fungal partner or mycelium under the ground from which they get their nutrients as well as what photosynthesis gives them as well. Some orchids like the Common Spotted Orchid and Broad Leaved Helleborine are less choosy about which fungal partner to live with but some are very selective like the Ladys Slipper.

[the young hunter]

Many species usually need very little competition and even bare ground in which to germinate such as the Bee Orchid and Red helleborine. The other thing is that most our native species only seem to flourish in relatively undisturbed grasslands and ancient woodlands that represent habitats that covered britain before man even set foot here. That's why its so difficult to get them to grow in a garden that's been tampered with and may not have the correct soil types or light availability etc. Plus, they often take many years to actually reach maturity and flower - the frog orchid takes 9!

Mike

[Hobjob]

For bee-orchid, and it may be the same for others but I do not know,
germintation rates are higher if the seed is still soft, not gone nut hard.

[Beekeeper]

Thanks for the replies everyone, but by what you have said in theory no Orchid seed should ever manage to produce a mature plant in the wild but they obviously do so is it down to luck where the seed lands or another reason which we are unaware of?

BK

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Beekeeper

Thanks for the replies everyone, but by what you have said in theory no Orchid seed should ever manage to produce a mature plant in the wild but they obviously do so is it down to luck where the seed lands or another reason which we are unaware of?

It's also down to the plant producing many thousands of tiny seeds.

Jim

[Beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

It's also down to the plant producing many thousands of tiny seeds.

Jim

Yes, i suppose that by doing so some should find the right conditions for germination even if it is only one or two.

BK

[Johnny Redgate]

I know of many derelict land / land reclamation sites where orchids have grown in profusion within a few years of tipping or regrading finishing, and I'm sure many of you do as well. I would have thought the key thing here is infertile soil and little competition from other plants, and the air being practically full of orchid seeds. At least one bee orchid colony on colliery spoil was several miles from any other known colony. Common spotted, southern marsh and bee orchids can all do well on substrates such as fly ash, not too acid colliery spoil, sand and gravel waste, foundary slag, ironstone quarry spoil etc. This suggests that the associated fungus can also be a rapid coloniser for these orchid species at least. I have never tried germinating orchid seeds but if you knew of a colony on such a site, could get permission and could retrieve a little substrate without disturbing anythng important, perhaps it would be worth trying. I would imagine you would need a lot of patience.

[Jim Ford]

Try:

New Page 3

and click on 'Cultivation' in the sidebar.

if you follow the links, you'll come to this one (which I'm going to try someday):

osp1

Jim

[Beekeeper]

Jim, your second link i find very interesting, the first one is rather complicated, I shall pass the info on to my pal who wishes to have a go at raising the seeds. Thank you for providing the links.

His one Common Spotted is loaded with large seed pods, it looks a really strong specimen unlike some of the ones i see on my walks in the forest.


Johnny Redgate, Also interesting info, i do know of a place where the ground fairly recently was heavily disturbed and yet a cluster of Orchids have taken up residence and seem to be thriving.


BK (Ian)