variegated Dactylorhiza

[daveyp1970]

This is a plant I brought back some eons ago from my cousins home in France.  They grow all over the property just above the small river in half sun.  It does well for me and sets seed most years, although I've not noted any seedlings.  I'm not sure to the species, but would expect it to be D. maculata.

Jamie your plant is Orchis mascula not Dactylorhiza.Lovely thing

[Regelian]

Dave,

thanks!  I had a feeling the ID wasn't correct, but I really can't keep the terrestrial orchids apart.  Except maybe a Cypripedium....

[mark smyth]

The first leaf of the leaves of my variegated Dactylorhiza have finally opened. I'm very happy it has survived the winter but I'm worried it will not live.

We know that we can multiply Dacts by removing the new tuber when the flower is over but what can I do with my plant? Can I remove the new tuber this summer?

Last year the plant had only two leaves - attached for comparison.

Is it worth naming?

[Anthony Darby]

That is awesome Mark. 

[daveyp1970]

Mark if you want to make two tubers from it this summer instead of one dig up the plant carefully when the flower spike is just on the turn remove the new tuber that has formed and pot it up then put the plant and old tuber back in the soil it will then produce another tuber not a massive one but a second one bonus,i hope this makes sense.

[Anthony Darby]

I remember Ian Young demonstrating this. Definitely worth naming Mark as it is quite striking.

[daveyp1970]

I remember Ian Young demonstrating this. Definitely worth naming Mark as it is quite striking.

i agree  i would put my name down for a piece when its large enough.

[fredg]

Mark if you want to make two tubers from it this summer instead of one dig up the plant carefully when the flower spike is just on the turn remove the new tuber that has formed and pot it up then put the plant and old tuber back in the soil it will then produce another tuber not a massive one but a second one bonus,i hope this makes sense.

I find that Dactylorhiiza multiply quite well without interference.

Dave just likes to delve in pots all the time, sometimes I think his plants spend longer out of the soil 

[Anthony Darby]

Keeps him smiling though.

[mark smyth]

Davey I do this already with flowering sized plants. This one had only two leaves last year so it could be a few away from flowering

[daveyp1970]

Mark if you want to make two tubers from it this summer instead of one dig up the plant carefully when the flower spike is just on the turn remove the new tuber that has formed and pot it up then put the plant and old tuber back in the soil it will then produce another tuber not a massive one but a second one bonus,i hope this makes sense.

I find that Dactylorhiiza multiply quite well without interference.

Dave just likes to delve in pots all the time, sometimes I think his plants spend longer out of the soil 

LMAO you know me so well

[Maggi Young]

Davey I do this already with flowering sized plants. This one had only two leaves last year so it could be a few away from flowering

I think you might be better waiting another year to try the multiplication tactic, Mark... if it is still a year off flowering I wouldn't stress it too much. Even in its first flower year it is a lot to ask of a young plant.....different when it is a big fat mature tuber to start with

[mark smyth]

I'm just worried that something will happen to it before I make £million.

It's in a semi-shade trough. Maybe I should move it to either a full sun trough or a raised bed in at the front where it will have good light

[winwen]

Never change your "winning" conditions too radical! Semi shade has worked so far. Just protect from slugs and snails and keep moist!
According multiplication I think that early separation of side-tubers may also lead to injuries of both plants and you may easily loose both to rot: mother and child!
I would suggest to bring it to flowering and try to get seeds by self-pollinating the flowers BEFORE multiplying vegetatively.
If vegetative propagation is the only way, then tuber-separation would be OK. But if it comes true to seed, multiplication would be much easier and there is no need to risk the life of this unique beauty!

[mark smyth]

thanks Wim. For now it is happy and the leaves are growing.

and to bore you again ...