Dactylorhiza

Jim McKenney jamesamckenney@verizon.net
Thu, 14 Oct 2010 17:02:44 PDT
Eric, years ago I imported several forms of Dactylorhiza from English sources. The plants grew well the first year and all bloomed. The second year, some bloomed and some did not. The third year there was only foliage, much reduced foliage. The fourth year there was nothing. 

Most were planted in my bog trays (trays of pine bark fines/crushed granite mostly) placed at the edge of a pool. A few were tried in raised beds of bark fines and crushed granite - these did not do well at all. 

I wrote them off a unsuitable for my conditions - but I'll be happy to hear about anyone else's success with them. Back in those days my bog trays were providing success with a lot of plants I had formerly considered impossible. But the successful ones were ones adapted to acidic conditions. The Dactylorhiza might very well appreciate neutral conditions - and be worth a new trial under a higher pH. 

I have a local friend who apparently has been able to keep some going (she's bad with names) for years. Or maybe she's renewing her stock frequently (she has an English friend who visits occasionally with gifts of plants). 

Jim McKenney


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