By Scotsgran
Scotland 
Can anyone help me find out what kind of root the spotted orchid has. I have been on the internet. I was aware it is a protected species because the chap I bought it from told me so. He said they had been bred to increase the stock. From my googling it seems the only way to prpagate them out of the wild is in lab conditions.It is not recommended to dig up and transpant because it needs microcorryzal (maybe spelled that incorrectly) fungi in the soil where they are native. I will be grateful for any information anyone can provide.
On plant
Dactylorizha fuchsia x purpurella
6 Jul, 2010
Answers
It has a pseudobulb. To all intents and purposes it functions exactly like a real bulb. A mature plant does not need the fungus to the same extent as a seed, the fungus is already inside the 'bulb' .
You can ,I have, move dormant plants from one place to another. We had them in an area where they were not happy. They must have come in the soil with some other plants as I have never had the money to buy them. I marked the spot and dug them up in autumn and replanted. I would not think that they will survive for long out of the soil as dried specimens so it is better to buy pot grown ones.
A description of the process by which they are commercially grown from seed would take a lot of typing.
6 Jul, 2010
Thank you for your reply Owd. This was not an expensive plant and or I would not have bought it. I did buy it as a pot grown specimen which is why I had no idea of the root system. Yes I understand the lab process involves gels etc so I would not expect you to go in to that. The clump seems to be growing, is it safe to split it or should I leave well alone. I did read somewhere that the plant is short lived maybe as little as five years. Since joining GOY I am beginning to understand that I do not only need the latin names of plants but also where and from whom I bought them. For future reference.
6 Jul, 2010
Well my spotted orchid is over 5 years old.
No I would not split them if they are in growth. I would plant the pot as it is and see if they spread before propagating them.
Must admit I would love to buy some more myself.
6 Jul, 2010
I have planted them they are growing happily where they are. If the chap is at any of the rallies we attend I will certainly get details of how to contact him. I have been trawling through the internet looking for possible nurseries but not found him yet. Will keep you up to date if I find out more.
6 Jul, 2010
Ta!
6 Jul, 2010
the term orchis comes from their shape. it pertains to the male testes. In medevial times they were called dog stones a reference to their size being similar to dogs testicles. [or stones]. I am full of weird stuff like this. sorry if this offends any of you. But I like medevial plant lore.
6 Jul, 2010
Very interesting Seaburngirl and I would be surprised if anyone is offended. As science unwraps the truth about a lot of folk medicine and plant lore from the past, which doctors in recent times were wont to denigrate, I think more and more of us will take an interest.
6 Jul, 2010
Cinderella is the Orchid woman!!
6 Jul, 2010