Terrestrial Orchids 2016

[Steve Garvie]

Orchis papilionacea


Ophrys helenae

[Steve Garvie]

Himantoglossum robertianum -A lilac flowered form.


Dactylorhiza romana -A pale form


Dactylorhiza romana -A dark form


Ophrys speculum

[Yann]

Ophrys scolopax

[Yann]

Ophrys lutea x sicula x fusca

[Neil]

Nice plant Yann

[Steve Garvie]

Calypso bulbosa occidentalis -It has produced two flowers this year and the single leaf is still going strong with a large plump new pseudobulb underlying. Hopefully it will produce two growths next year.

[Yann]

whouah this isn't an easy one to grow, do you use pine in the compost?

[Steve Garvie]

whouah this isn't an easy one to grow, do you use pine in the compost?

I grow it in a very open mix of pine bark, pine needles, chopped sphagnum, perlite and seramis. I only water with rain water and its pot always sits in about 0.7 cm of water. It grows in a cold greenhouse where it gets full light from late October to early March (Scottish Winters are not bright!) -it is then grown "under the bench". The longer it is kept in growth the bigger the replacement pseudobulb will be. I give only two feeds per year of quarter strength orchid feed (no urea/ammonium salts).
The main killers are dryness, scorched leaf (->early dormancy) and slugs/snails. It needs to be kept just moist and fairly cool during summer dormancy.

Having just written all this I have probably now signed its death warrant!   

[Yann]

thanks Steve for these details, i never succeed with Calypso , summer are too hot and dry i think, even under shade.

[Neil]

Well done Steve have never managed to keep them alive, 

[hud357]

Steve ... Your photography is stunning.

Quick question ... I have obtained some Mediterranean Ophrys (tenthredinifera). They are dormant ATM ... how often should they be watered? Couple of times a month?

I'm really impressed by the Calypso bulbosa BTW. Where on Earth did you obtain it? 

[Steve Garvie]

Steve ... Your photography is stunning.

Quick question ... I have obtained some Mediterranean Ophrys (tenthredinifera). They are dormant ATM ... how often should they be watered? Couple of times a month?

I'm really impressed by the Calypso bulbosa BTW. Where on Earth did you obtain it?

Many thanks!

I would keep the Ophrys in dry sand with no water. Re-pot into moist compost (various mixes have been suggested on the forum previously) towards the end of August, or earlier if they start to show new growth. Once into growth keep keep them slightly moist.

I got my Calypso some years ago from a grower in England (from US lab-raised seedlings). Laneside Hardy Orchids are offering young plants currently: http://lanesidehardyorchids.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php/calypso-bulbosa-alpine-house-orchid-p-199

[johnralphcarpenter]

Early purple orchid, Orchis masculata mascula, I believe. Growing on the High Weald in East Sussex close to the Kent border.

[Steve Garvie]

Anacamptis morio


Dactylorhiza sambucina

[Maggi Young]

Article on Jeff  of Laneside Hardy Orchids.... http://www.garstangcourier.co.uk/news/yes-you-can-grow-orchids-in-your-lancashire-garden-says-expert-jeff-hutchings-1-7890732    - with some  interesting photos too.