I have wrecked my back lifting rubble and rubbish soil so I am resigned to virtual gardening. Here is what I have been up to with my orchid seeds so far this year.
1st Feb 2012 - I sowed some Ophrys apifera (Bee Orchid) seeds in Malmgren's medium, with 1% Pineapple juice and 40cc swede per liter - unfortunately I clumsily spilt the seed afterwards and so I could only sow one batch. At the same time I sowed a batch of Ophrys sphegodes (Early Spider Orchid) Anacamptis pyramidalis (Pyramidal Orchid) and Anacamptis laxifolia (Lax Flowered Orchid) in the same medium mixture, but luckily did not spill any more seed!
6th Feb 2012 - I sowed Anacamptis laxifolia, A. pyramidalis and Himantoglossum hircinum (Lizard orchid) in a mixture of Malmgren's medium plus 2% pineapple juice per liter and 1-2cc potato per FLASK (as recommended by Svante Malmgren (http://www.lidaforsgarden.com/Orchids/engelsk.htm).
I also sowed Anacamptis laxifolia and A. pyramidalis in a mixture of Malmgren's medium plus 2% pineapple juice per liter and 3cc potato per FLASK.
Finally I sowed a flask of O. sphegodes in Malmgren's medium, with 2% Pineapple juice and 1cc swede per flask. I have ordered some replacement Bee Orchid seed and will sow some more later in March. I also plated up the petri dishes containing Dactylorhiza fuchsii (Common spotted orchid) and D. praetermissa (Southerm Marsh Orchid) protocorms.
25th Feb 2012 - removed the Dacts from the fridge and put them on the north facing windowsill in our living room, which is relatively cool but bright.
3rd March 2012 - I finally bit the bullet and planted my first batch of D. fuchsii. I used the compost mixture recommended by John Haggar:
3 parts milled peat - I really don't like using peat and I will explore peat free options as well
1 part sharp sand
1 part loam
1 part grit
I transplanted them into 11cm terracotta pots plunged into a damp sand plunge bed in the greenhouse, the plan is to transfer them to an outside bed when I get a chance. I have uploaded pictures here: http://meadowmaker.typepad.co.uk/photos/orchid_seed_sowing_2012/
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