Platanthera Grandiflora Seeds

[Morgayn]

Has anyone ever had success in propagating fringed orchids from seed? I have a large natural stand of them (20 ft of them) and have tried for the past couple of years to start them from seed with no luck. I would like to move them around the property to a couple of different spots but I don't want to disturb the main patch. Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks
 

[Maggi Young]

Holy Moly, Morgayn.... where do you live to be so lucky?!

[Morgayn]

On a little island (Grand Manan) in the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada.
I'll have some seeds to give away next fall.

[Carlo]

You will most likely not have success trying them from seed--if you do it OUT of the garden setting (i.e. in pots, etc.). I would suggest you try spreading seed where you want it to come up. Assuming the soil is not too different you may have luck. As you already know, orchid seed is extraordinarily small. It takes some time for germinated plants to reach decent size.

[Morgayn]

 :)Thanks Carlo
I will give that a try. Currently they are growing along the edge of the driveway/woods in a gravelly,clay mix with just a bit of woodland soil. I would love to have them in the small clearing beside my perennial beds.

[Maggi Young]

Well Morgayn, I suppose you can tell I am green with envy for your plants?

 I would try, as Carlo suggests, scattering the seed in the spots you hope to have the plants colonise.... I'd mix the seed with some soil from around the parent stand, just to help things along in the beneficial fungus stakes!

PLEASE post pix of the plants in flower next spring.... I love to suffer that way!

[Morgayn]

They are beautiful plants.
I think I have some photos of them from last year, but if I can't find them I'll post some in the spring for you.

[Maggi Young]

Hope you can find those pix.....