Gymnadenia

[mark smyth]

Does anyone know if Gymnadenia are suitable for pot culture? What size are the tubers?

[Darren]

Yes Mark - when I grew it it responded to similar treatment to Dactylorhiza (fuchsii types) and the tubers are very similar in shape/size too. It can also be increased the same way - by removing the new tuber at flowering time and allowing another to develop. I do think that like the Dacs they would be happier in the garden or in a trough though.

[mark smyth]

Thanks Darren. I dont grow fuschii so what would they be in cms?

The reason I ask is someone has asked to do a swap with me. He says his tubers are flowering size and when I asked what size the tubers are he says under 2cm across. Sounds like a seedling to me

[Darren]

2cm across could flower Mark. G conopsea should have several finger-like swollen roots/tuber extensions so I'd guess that a tuber 2cm across would be about 6 or 7 cm long over-all if these are taken into account.

[mark smyth]

Thanks again.

[Eric Locke]

Thanks Darren. I dont grow fuschii so what would they be in cms?

The reason I ask is someone has asked to do a swap with me. He says his tubers are flowering size and when I asked what size the tubers are he says under 2cm across. Sounds like a seedling to me

Mark it is very possible as Darren said that these will flower at this size .
I grow these in pots and they do grow very well. Tubers generally tend to be much smaller than Fuschii and do look similar ,but have more fingers. Best to grow these in full sun .

Eric

[mark smyth]

OK. I'll do the swap but time will tell if they flower

[Joakim B]

Lidafors is using them in breeding with dactylorhizas and says that the hybrids are excelent ardenplants. A lot of interesting reading about them there.

http://www.lidaforsgarden.com/Orchids/gymnadenia_eng.htm

Best of Luck Mark and hope You show the blooming plants when they flower (hen ever that may be).

Kind regards
Joakim

[mark smyth]

I will.

[mark smyth]

I like the web site you posted the link for.

[Joakim B]

Mark I think it is one of the better sites about hardy orchids and how easy they are in propagation and their use as "garden plants". Being used as "normal" plants.
Extra interesting for me as it is based on experiense in the region in Sweden that is north of me but not north of a line with Stockholm but more in the central parts betwen the two coasts, if I know my geografy OK.
Kind regards
Joakim