Dactylorhiza Culture Notes
(Includes other genera with 'hand ' like tubers)
By Alan Dash
e-mail: adash@orchidsbypost.co.uk
Below is a basic, general guide in the form of culture notes. For more details please refer to the following texts:
- Hardy Orchids P Cribb & C Bailes Timber Press (may currently be out of print)
- Alpine Garden Society Bulletin 57(2) June 1989 The Cultivation of European Tuberous Orchids Dr T Norman
- Alpine Garden Society Bulletin 61(3) Sept. 1993 Dactylorhizas from Seed R. Mitchell
- The Hardy Orchid Society Quarterly Newsletters
Compost
Tolerant of many forms of growing medium. Best if 'opened up' by the addition of grit or perlite etc. at the rate of 33% to 50%. I would recommend a mix of John Innes 2 : Peat based compost : Grit at approx. 1 : 1 : 2 or 1 : 1 : 1
Potting up
Flowering sized plants will produce a large root system. Use a LARGE pot 12 to 15 inches deep for a large tuber. Plant with the shoot / apical bud just below the surface and then cover the top with an inch or so of grit.
Culture
Keep moist throughout the year. Despite being 'marsh' orchids they will not appreciate sodden boggy conditions in culture. There is no necessity for frost protection. Roots develop throughout the winter. Leaves develop from March / April and then flowers in June. During the period of top growth, the plants can be fed with weak liquid feeds (approx. one quarter strength every few weeks).
Propagation
Divide and replant in July / August by twisting off the new tubers from the old. A full size tuber should double every year. In three years you could have a display of 8 flowering spikes which could make an unusual large clay pot or wooden tub for the patio.
Open soil culture
In the open ground choose a site that will not dry out completely in the summer. An open loamy soil is preferred. If your soil is heavy then add peat / peat substitute and / or grit. Alternatively, create a raised bed of compost as above in part shade and keep moist.