Orchid, lady's slipper or stendelwort: orchids with magical flowers do not necessarily have to come from distant countries. Instead, native terrestrial orchids enrich the diversity of the garden, and as a gardener you also make an important contribution to the preservation of the species by cultivating these rare plants. There are around 60 different species in this country, which, in contrast to their tropical relatives, prefer to grow in the ground.
What are terrestrial orchids and which types are suitable for the garden?
Terrestrial orchids are terrestrial orchid species that are native to various habitats such as poor meadows, forests or moors. Native species such as bee orchid, helmet orchid or two-leaved forest hyacinth, which are generally sufficiently hardy, are suitable for cultivation in the garden.
Origin and distribution
The botanist does not understand the term “terrestrial orchid” as a precisely defined genus, but simply as terrestrial or semi-epiphytic orchid species. Terrestrial orchids can be found on all five continents, where they inhabit a wide variety of habitats. Although the majority are native to the tropics and subtropics, numerous species are also native to the temperate and Mediterranean climate zones - around 60 different species of terrestrial orchids grow in Germany alone, but they are threatened with extinction and are therefore subject to strict nature conservation.
Occurrences
Terrestrial orchids populate different habitats. Many species are native to swamps and moors, others thrive in deciduous and mixed forests, in savannahs, steppes and other wastelands. What they all have in common, however, is that they only inhabit pristine habitats and are therefore never found in regions with intensive agriculture. Some species also thrive as a kind of cultural follower by using abandoned niches - for example abandoned vineyards, gravel pits, etc. However, many terrestrial orchids can only grow where they can enter into a symbiosis with specific fungi - the plants, which are primarily found in very poor soils, rely on these for their own nutrient supply.
Lifecycle
With the exception of the tropical species, terrestrial orchids from cool and temperate climates follow certain rhythms of life that must also be adhered to when grown in the home garden. However, these species are very difficult for laypeople to cultivate on the windowsill due to their very specific needs. Therefore, culture in the garden bed is recommended, for which, for example, the breeding of native species is ideal. These grow from March / April, show their flowers between April and July - depending on the species - and then disappear back into their mostly underground storage systems, the rhizomes or tubers, in time before the onset of winter.
Species conservation
As a result of intensive agriculture and growing urbanization, the population of native orchid species has been reduced to such an extent that they are now only rarely found in the wild. That's why all orchid species - not just those native to Germany, but also the tropical ones - are now subject to the Washington Convention on Endangered Species. Therefore, digging up or picking plants growing in the wild is strictly prohibited and is punishable by heavy fines.
A culture of endangered terrestrial orchids in the garden makes an important contribution to the preservation of these fascinating plants. However, the trade in terrestrial orchids is banned throughout Europe. Only plants from artificial breeding may be traded. Trustworthy dealers can always provide you with a CITES certificate (“The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”), which states the country of origin and proof of artificial breeding. Unfortunately, there are many black sheep on the market who operate illegal trade in the rare plants.
Appearance and growth
Most native orchid species reach heights of a maximum of 15 centimeters and develop correspondingly small, but orchid-typical flowers. Their beauty, in contrast to the ostentatious splendor of exotic species, is not immediately apparent, with one exception: lady's slipper orchids (bot. Cypripedium hybrids often produce towering flower shoots with flower clusters that can contain up to twelve individual flowers. Some lady's slipper species, however, develop large individual flowers.
Even if the numerous species differ greatly from each other in their growth forms and the formation of their flowers, they all have some things in common:
- the special shape and characteristic structure of the flowers
- These are perennial plants that can basically continue to grow indefinitely.
- There are always storage organs running underground or above ground, usually rhizomes or tubers.
- Orchid seeds are generally not able to germinate without symbiotic fungi.
- Orchids do not have taproots, instead the secondary roots always arise from the shoot.
Flowers
Earth orchids produce very diverse flowers. A few species develop individual flowers; in most the flowers are grouped in racemose or cylindrical inflorescences. Like the plants themselves, the flowers of most terrestrial orchid species are rather inconspicuous and small. However, some varieties develop extremely attractive shapes and colors, which in many cases is thanks to a sophisticated survival strategy: They form sophisticated traps for insects that are supposed to pollinate the orchid flowers.
Location and soil
Which location and which substrate terrestrial orchids prefer depends heavily on the species selected. Basically, these are divided into three groups, each of which thrives in different garden locations.
Poor meadows, poor grassland
Dry, nutrient-poor pastures and meadows are the ideal breeding ground for many rare plants, at least when they are not used intensively. The various species of ragwort (Ophrys) feel just as at home here as the pyramidal ragwort (Anacamptis pyramidalis) or the buck's-bellied tongue (Himantoglossum hircinum). Subterranean orchids growing here also need a lean, dry substrate and a lot of light in the garden.
Forests
In natural, sparsely managed deciduous and mixed forests, terrestrial orchids thrive with low light requirements. Here you can find various species of damselwort (Epipactis) as well as adorable species such as the long-leaved forest bird (Cephalanthera longifolia), which usually grow right on the edge of the path or forest. If these terrestrial orchids are to be cultivated in the garden, light, partially shaded locations with humus-rich soil are recommended.
Moors and swamps
Most terrestrial orchids cultivated in gardens, however, need a moist subsoil with acidic soil because they are native to wet meadows or moors. Various species of orchid (Dactylorhiza) as well as marsh sandwort (Epipactis palustris) thrive here. It is ideal to create and plant a special moor bed, especially near the garden pond or an (artificial) stream.
Watering the earth orchid
Most terrestrial orchids like to be in constantly slightly moist soil. Especially during warm and dry weather, you should check daily using a finger test to see whether the soil surface has dried. If this is the case, water the orchids with soft, lukewarm water. Do not use tap water because, like all orchids, domestic orchids do not tolerate lime and would die sooner or later. Collected rainwater is best. In addition, you should never pour over leaves and flowers, but only onto the root disc. Unless specified for certain species, waterlogging should be avoided.
Fertilize your earth orchid properly
Subterranean orchids planted in the garden do not require any additional fertilizer as long as they bloom without any problems. The lack of flowering can (but does not have to be, there are other causes) be due to a lack of nutrient supply. Your terrestrial orchids benefit from fertilization with self-prepared potassium-rich comfrey manure, which promotes flowering and growth and strengthens the plants' defenses and winter hardiness. Apply the brew in late summer/early autumn so that the nutrients can be absorbed by the underground storage organs. Then mulch the planting area with leaf compost.
Cut the earth orchid correctly
Orchids should not be cut back if possible, as their nutrient balance depends largely on it. At the end of the growth and flowering phase, the plants extract all remaining nutrients from the leaves and shoots and store them in their rhizomes. In spring the stored energy is released when the orchids sprout again. However, if the rhizomes were unable to store enough, they ultimately lack the strength for new shoots. That's why you should never cut off wilted flowers and shoots. Instead, wait until they are easy to pick off - this is the sign that the plant is releasing these parts. The same applies to the main stem, which you only cut off just above the ground after it has completely died off in the fall.read more
Propagate Earth Orchid
Although terrestrial orchids produce fruits with numerous seeds after flowering, seed propagation is too complicated for the layperson. Orchid seeds can only germinate with the help of certain symbiotic fungi with which the plants form what is known as mycorrhiza. Alternatively, orchid species such as the lady's slipper are propagated in vitro, although this is only possible under certain laboratory conditions.
Reproduction by division
Instead, the orchid lover can propagate many types of terrestrial orchids relatively easily by division or by separating the bulbs:
- Dig up the lady's slipper and divide the nest into several pieces by carefully bending it back and forth.
- Dig up the damselwort and cut the rhizomes into five to ten centimeter long pieces with a sharp knife.
- Dig up the orchids and cut the tubers in half with a sharp knife.
Each new section must have at least two to three eyes, otherwise it can no longer sprout in the new location. Only divide adult, well-rooted terrestrial orchids and never young plants in their first few years - these would not survive the procedure. The best time for division is early spring, when the winter rest is gradually coming to an end and new shoots are not yet visible. Alternatively, you can also do this form of propagation at the end of the flowering period.
Propagation via bulbs
Some terrestrial orchids, such as Pleione orchids, cannot be divided. Instead, these species produce annual pseudobulbs that can be used as breeding bulbs. After flowering, cut them off with a sharp and clean knife and place them in a pot filled with clay granules and disinfected garden soil. The young plants should be cultivated in a planter for two years and only then planted out.read more
Tip
Native terrestrial orchids such as the popular orchids are usually sufficiently hardy. However, young plants are much more sensitive to frost than older specimens, which is why you should cover them thickly with fir or spruce branches or (beech) leaves after pruning in autumn to protect them from winter accidents.
Species and varieties
A variety of native species are suitable for the garden, but some terrestrial orchids from the Mediterranean or similar climate regions also feel at home in our gardens.
Native terrestrial orchids for the garden
- Bee Ragwort (Ophrys apifera): distinctively patterned, eye-catching flower lips, up to 50 centimeters high, for dry, poor meadows with a lime-rich subsoil
- Leafless Barber (Epipogium aphyllum): creamy white flowers, up to 30 centimeters high, in shady forests with a thick layer of humus
- Bock's-bellied tongue (Himantoglossum hircinum): up to 100 centimeters high, up to 100 individual flowers, on chalky, sunny, lean grassland
- Brown-red Stendelwort (Epipactis atrorubens): growth height up to 80 centimeters, delicate vanilla scent, violet flowers, mainly on dry and calcareous soils
- Flesh-colored orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata): 10 to 12 centimeter large, purple flowers, in wet meadows
- Fly orchid (Ophrys insectifera): up to 40 centimeters high, characteristic brown flowers, on poor and dry grass, in pine forests
- Helmet Orchid (Orchis militaris): up to 50 centimeters high, numerous light purple flowers, lean and dry meadows, pine forests
- Male orchid (Orchis mascula): up to 70 centimeters high, purple flowers, in poor meadows and shady forests
- Gymnadenia conopsea: up to 80 centimeters high, light purple flowers, on poor meadows, in moors and wetlands
- Pyramid dogwort (Anacamptis pyramidalis): up to 40 centimeters high, bright pink or white flowers in a characteristic shape, lime-rich lean grassland or sparse forests
- Two-leaved forest hyacinth (Platanthera bifolia): up to 50 centimeters high, delicate, white flowers, exudes a vanilla-like scent, in mixed deciduous forests
