Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

Specific Families and Genera => Pleione and Orchidaceae => Topic started by: mark smyth on July 27, 2012, 07:31:33 PM

Title: Orchids in the wild - how do they grow in sand?
Post by: mark smyth on July 27, 2012, 07:31:33 PM

I was out and about today.

How can Pryamidal and Common spotted grow in pure sand?

How can Northern marsh orchids grow on/in a scree below a limestone quarry face.

And going back to May how can Early purples grow in/on a pile of road stones, basalt chips, at the side of the road?

Title: Re: Orchids in the wild - how do they grow in sand?
Post by: Chuck on July 31, 2012, 09:07:11 AM

I am currently growing my Cypripediums in a sandy mix with perlite, some peat, and lava rock. The sand is really great for drainage and is especially useful to prevent water logging.

Title: Re: Orchids in the wild - how do they grow in sand?
Post by: mark smyth on August 05, 2012, 06:00:26 PM

where does the food come from?

Title: Re: Orchids in the wild - how do they grow in sand?
Post by: daveyp1970 on August 05, 2012, 10:18:46 PM

Mark in the wild its all down to mycorrhiza with out it the orchid wouldn't germinate but i think in such harsh conditions as pure sand ect i think the orchid relies heavily on it's mycorrhiza even when its an adult.
Also i think in sand there are still tiny particles of rotting plant matter ect blown in and trapped that slowly releases nutrients.

Title: Re: Orchids in the wild - how do they grow in sand?
Post by: Chuck on September 19, 2012, 06:18:01 AM

Quote from: mark smyth on August 05, 2012, 06:00:26 PM

where does the food come from?

It comes from bird droppings, dead insects, the rain, and decomposing debris.