dividing / multiplying Dactylorhizas

[mark smyth]

Today I have been lifted and removing next years tubers just like Ian does on the Bulblog

It's interesting to see how some plants have produced only small tubers while others have produced two large ones

I lifted my Cruickshanks dark leaf and broke off the 'fingers' of nexts years tuber. The roots coming from the growing point are OK. I hope I havent killed it.

[TheOnionMan]

Today I have been lifted and removing next years tubers just like Ian does on the Bulblog

It's interesting to see how some plants have produced only small tubers while others have produced two large ones

I lifted my Cruickshanks dark leaf and broke off the 'fingers' of nexts years tuber. The roots coming from the growing point are OK. I hope I havent killed it.

Show us a pic, would like to see the details of such a daring deed!

[mark smyth]

I've just replanted lots but I'll take them out again. Not daring at all.

[Maggi Young]

This subject is revisited, with photos in last week's Bulb Log:
http://www.srgc.org.uk/logs/logdir/2010Aug041280927654BULB_LOG__31comp.pdf


It really is better to be very gentle with the tubers and not break any "fingers".... better to lose the stem off the old tuber than that, as Ian  says.... but with luck the tuber will not die.


 Also :
 http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/110903/log.html
http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2006/230806/log.html - close pic of twisting off the stalk
http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2007/150807/log.html

http://www.srgc.org.uk/bulblog/log2008/060808/log.html

[TheOnionMan]

Thanks Maggi, I saw that Bulb Log issue, but I only looked at the "rain hats" construction.  Mark, don't bother redigging, the Bulb Log has it well illustrated.

[mark smyth]

Just realised Dactylorhiza flowers smell the same as the roots

[mark smyth]

I bought this Dactylorhiza in 2006 at my first SRGC weekend and this is the first time it's been divided 

[mark smyth]

The most new tubers on one plant was 5. Four big ones and a tiny one.

I know this looks like any other Dactylorhiza but this is my variegated plant with a nice new tuber. Last year when I found it the tuber was about the size if a thumb nail.

[TheOnionMan]

Looks very healthy, thanks for showing it.  I like the Ring o'Dactylorhiza, lots of divisions there!

[mark smyth]

Mark it was the best way to show them. When I first tried Ian's method it worried me but now I do it quite fast. Some literally fall off when touched

[mark smyth]

Look at this for congestion

[mark smyth]

Previously I have mentioned how when removing moss I found Dactylorhiza roots on the surface. In some of my woodland troughs I have moss covered rotting mini logs. Dactylorhiza roots have grown in to the log.

[annew]

Do you know the parentage of your hybrid, Mark?

[Tony Willis]

Mark the roots that grow around the crown often grow almost vertically at first and this can be seen on your picture no4.They then grow along the surface just under the top dressing

[mark smyth]

Thanks Tony