Dactylorhiza 'Harold Esslemont' & Ad Hoc Plants

[Anthony Darby]

That's getting up to 'Bressingham Bonus' height (unless yours really are 2 feet 60cm)? Mine are about 2' 6" - i.e. 75 cm tall.

[mark smyth]

Yes my Harolds are 24 inches tall and today they will have their tubers removed.

[Mavers]

OUCH  poor 'arold

[Anthony Darby]

Unlike us Mike, they grow new ones.

[Anthony Darby]

What are the leaves like Mark?

[fermi de Sousa]

Yes my Harolds are 24 inches tall and today they will have their tubers removed.

Isn't that what's called an orchidectomy!
cheers
fermi

[Paul T]

I'm fairly sure that Harold is here in Aus.  I wonder what other Dacts have made it into this country. I've finally got my D. fuchsii to grow and start multiplying slowly (which isn't that easy to do in my climate here in Canberra) so I can start experimenting with others now.  I just love em!!    No self-seeing though, but I have only flowered one clone as yet.

[ChrisB]

Well, I know size matters to some people, and after reading this thread I went out to measure one of my dactilorhiza seedlings to see if it matches up to the one in this thread, and it does.  It is 32inches from where it comes out of the ground to its tip, not counting its contours which would probably make it slightly taller, and it grew here all on its own, so it has no name at all.  Have a couple more that are also tall, but not quite achieving this height.  Thought I'd share it with you.

[ChrisB]

Closer view

[rob krejzl]

I'm fairly sure that Harold is here in Aus.

Paul,

Don't be fairly sure - be certain. One of Lyn's imports. I've seen others that I lust after at the Gillanders.

[Paul T]

Maybe we need to find someone who has it/them and try some seed.  Might be the easiest way of getting a range of them.  Getting seed in is too picky unfortunately, as won't come through quarantine in pod, and once out of pod it is harder to keep sterile.  Then again, if I can get seed I have a friend on the south coast who has an orchid laboratory who can sow them on agar with the terrestrial symbiot if that is what they're needing.

[Anthony Darby]

Seed is best kept totally dry - even in a film container with drying crystals. They can then be sterilised using Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) or Potassium Metabisulphite (K₂S₂O₄) solution when they are to be sown. They can then be sent as dry seed without the problems of quarantine?

[rob krejzl]

Paul,

Dact. seed certainly features on the seedlists. I've imported it. If you're merely after Harold Esslemont be patient. I gave one away to Essie last year and will probably be able to spare another at the end of this season.

[Paul T]

Rob,

I am more than happy to wait.  Don't short-change yourself at all.  Nice to know it definitely is here.  My comments re seed were just as it might have been interesting to see what the seedlings look like.  I wouldn't mind a few self-sowings around my garden if they look as nice as so many that have been posted here on the SRGC so. 

 Re seed... have you germinated any successfully, either from damp or dry seed?  I would imagine that sowing it around existing Dact plants should give it any microrhyzza (I've spelt that wrong, haven't I?) if it needs them for germination?

Anthony,

Yes, providing it is not still in green pods,and not on the banned list (some species are unfortunately) then quarantine shouldn't be a problem.  My concerns were with the actual handling at this end, and whether they would germinate without an orchid laboratory.  Saves somewhat on costs if you don't need one of those! 

Dave,

Got your email.  Thank you kindly!!

[rob krejzl]

Paul,

I did as you suggest and sowed it around the fuchsii I already had. No sign of seedlings, but that's the unpredictable nature of exchange seed.