Orchids and other mycorrhizals

There is a section in the Seeds Shop – reading ‘Orchids & other mycorrhizals’, where various species with particular needs regarding germination were included. The species are all very handsome and interesting looking, but do not be fooled by their appearance: they are very hard to grow from seeds! I emphasized this aspect before and details are offered on every species individual page, but it is always good to repeat important things.

Orchid species (Orchidaceae) are mycotrophic, obtaining nutrients through intermediary mycorrhizal fungi. The mycorrhizal relationship between the fungi and plant is symbiotic. Their seeds also need specific mycorrhiza for germination and further growth.

Propagating orchid species is usually successful only by using ‘in vitro’ techniques. Epipactis helleborine has a very wide range of hosts, so we can have some success when sowing the seeds in the garden, especially if various trees are present. In my garden it appears here and there, never in the same place and variable from one year to another. The works of the mycorrhizal world is very complicated.

Other species are mycoheterotrophic (Monotropa, Chimaphila), meaning that they are partly or entirely non-photosynthetic plants that obtain energy and nutrients from fungi that form mycorrhizas with plants. That means they are parasitic on the fungal partner and, indirectly, on its associated plant. Most of them have very fine, dust-like seeds and require fungi for germination.
More about Chimaphila umbellata here: The love of winter: Pipsissewa. I sowed seeds on various ways with no success up to date.

Conopholis americana – is a holoparasitic plant; it forms symbiosis with only a particular host plant – Quercus rubra (or other species from Q. rubra group).

We also have hemiparasitic plants like the beautiful Castilleja  and Pedicularis, which do not need fungal associations, only specific hosts plants to grow well. For this reason, the seeds can be germinated in pots, but to grow well and flower they need to be planted close to their preferred host plants afterwards. I can vouch for both, which at times I germinated in pots. (Gone with the wind – Indian paintbrush).

This being said and emphasized, when possible I try to provide limited quantities of such species, including orchids for the aficionados with ‘in vitro’ propagating possibilities and knowledge.

New this fall:
Cypripedium acaule, the Mocassin flower
I never had the chance to catch it flowering with its impressive large deep red pouches, but sometimes I find it at fruiting stage. This year was perfect timing.

This is an orchid growing on areas with acidic soil and although some people claim that it tolerates various degrees of soil of moisture, I’ve only seen it growing in rather moist forests. |Plus, it enjoys cooler summers than what we have in SW Ontario, where Cypripedium parviflorum can be cultivated and even grows wild for example.

Spiranthes incurva, Sphinx ladies tresses

This is a relatively newly described Spiranthes incurva (a hybrid between S. cernua and S. magnicamporum) with white-ivory (with yellowish throats), fragrant flowers arranged in a spiral around the stems, like most other species from the S. cernua complex.

The authors proposed the common name of Sphinx ladies tresses for it, on the reason that this hybrid species is “prone to enigmatic and intractable questions”, just like the mythological creature Sphinx.

Those interested to read more about the S. cernua complex and learned the differences between various species, the following article will keep you very ‘entertained’:
https://bioone.org/journals/systematic-botany/volume-42/issue-4/036364417X696537/The-Systematics-of-the-Spiranthes-cernua-Species-Complex-Orchidaceae/10.1600/036364417X696537.full

Back in stock after a couple of years: Monotropa uniflora, the ghostly Indian pipe.
The inventory has also been replenished with fresh seeds of Conopholis americana, which had a great season this year.