Re: hardy orchids

In a message dated 3/3/2002 3:48:41 PM Central Standard Time, nlowe@hotmail.com writes:


Galearis
spectabilis (showy orchis) or Goodyere pubescens (rattlesnake orchid)? 


I have grown the orchis (They changed all the names on the native orchids-so I am lost) -- at least until the woodchucks ate them up.  They need a rich-moisture retentive soil that is well drained (they are found growing in the middle of hill sides were it is dry on the top of the hill and moist at the bottom), for success they need a mesic-hardwood based humus rich soil.  Under oaks and elms, ash or basswood.  Avoid extremes of pH-best in very slightly acid soils to slightly basic. Blooms in mid May here in Minnesota.

Very attractive plants with two flat leaves and a spike of flowers reaching 6-8 inches tall.  In the wild they can be found growing in large groups mixed here and there were they like to grow.  I have never seen them set seeds-and I have seen a least 500 plants.  My lady slippers set seed every year.

When you plant out your new plants-make sure to not break any of the funny looking roots, otherwise rot will set in. every year the plants grow into a new plant or two and you can divide the plants in mid summer after they start going dormant. The old plant is useless so do not worry about keeping it. 

The Goodyere does not appeal to me-but interesting for its leaves I would guess.  It likes an acid soil under oaks and birch were it is more on the dry side.  It can also be found under pine trees. 


Its not much help -- but with a little work in site preparation you should be ale to grow both of them-but do not expect it to be easy like lady slippers.

Paul
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