Common Spotted Orchid in seed
Now that we are heading towards Autumn I am setting up seeds for the next generation of plants, which for some species may only be a matter of a year or two before they are into pots. Common Spotted orchids are a good example of this, they are fast and robust. Because of this we do not usually set them up every year, just every two years in large batches. Other species are set up every year and seem to take a lot longer, so we have plants at all stages of development throughout the year. Bee and Pyramidal orchids fall into this group. At the extreme end of slow development seems to be the Common Twayblade. These lurk in glass for four or more years before they produce leaves enough to support them by photosynthesis, quite how they ever became common I cannot imagine. Mind you, they do have a creeping rhizome which allows them to propagate vegetatively.
You will notice that the title of this entry is 'Remembering To Cut Your Meadow'. This is because although where you live it may be a little early, some areas of the country are about ready to have the flower meadows cut. It all depends upon whether the flowers have set seed yet. Once the grass has had the cut, if you are going to put in orchids for next year now is a good time to do it. And don't forget the Yellow Rattle, the orchid growers friend.
You will notice that the title of this entry is 'Remembering To Cut Your Meadow'. This is because although where you live it may be a little early, some areas of the country are about ready to have the flower meadows cut. It all depends upon whether the flowers have set seed yet. Once the grass has had the cut, if you are going to put in orchids for next year now is a good time to do it. And don't forget the Yellow Rattle, the orchid growers friend.
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