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Marsh orchid in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Dactylorhiza majalis

 

Marsh orchid

The marsh orchid grows mainly in nitrogen-poor marsh areas and in fens. Its flowering period begins at the beginning of summer and ends in higher elevations at late summer. The blossoms usually open before the stem has reached its full height.

Contributed by @Squares

 
plant Features
  • Marsh orchid likes partial shade

    Partial shade

  • Marsh orchid likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

  • Marsh orchid is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Marsh orchid likes moist and free draining

    Moist and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Marsh orchid

Latin name

Dactylorhiza majalis

type

Orchid

family

Orchidaceae

ph

5.0 - 8.0 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Marsh orchid likes partial shade

    Partial shade

  • Frost

    Marsh orchid is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Soil

    Marsh orchid likes moist and free draining

    Moist and free draining

  • Water

    Marsh orchid likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant
  •  
    When the plant will bloom

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Marsh orchid is 0.25meters x 0.40meters 0.25 M 0.40 M

Dactylorhiza majalis

The marsh orchid grows mainly in nitrogen-poor marsh areas and in fens. Its flowering period begins at the beginning of summer and ends in higher elevations at late summer. The blossoms usually open before the stem has reached its full height.


Planting

From Early Autumn TO Late Autumn

Semi-shade, no direct sun at midday. A very suitable place would also be on the north side of a building. Most Dactylorhiza are woodland plants and therefore prefer cool sites, which do not become too dry and hot during summer. Places where ferns thrive are also suitable for. Don’t plant your Dactylorhiza close to trees or big shrubs because their roots are effective competition for water and nutrients! Autumn is the best season for planting. Spread out the roots in the upper 10 cm (4 inches) of the soil, the rhizome 2-3 cm (1 inch) below the surface, shoot buds upwards. Fill in the remaining substrate without compressing it, and water thoroughly.

 

Flowering

From Early Spring TO Late Winter

Many orchids do not have a flowering season and flowers may be produced at any time if the right conditions are being met. Terrestrial orchids grown outdoors will mostly flower in the summer months. Flowers can last for several months.

 

Planting young plants

From Early Autumn TO Late Autumn

Sometimes small plantlets (keiki) appear from the nodes on the flower stems. Detach the plantlets when they have developed several good roots and pot them up in orchid compost. Water them sparingly at first, but mist them daily. Always use a proprietary orchid compost. Ensure good light levels in winter, as these are essential to encourage flowering. An east- or west-facing window would be ideal. Move to a shadier spot in summer and protect from direct sunshine. When planting terrestrial orchids outdoors, plant in semi-shade, no direct sun at midday. A very suitable place would also be on the north side of a building. Most orchids are woodland plants and therefore prefer cool sites, which do not become too dry and hot during summer. Places where ferns thrive are also suitable for. Don’t plant your orchids close to trees or big shrubs because their roots are effective competition for water and nutrients! Autumn is the best season for planting. Spread out the roots in the upper 10 cm (4 inches) of the soil, the rhizome 2-3 cm (1 inch) below the surface, shoot buds upwards. Fill in the remaining substrate without compressing it, and water thoroughly.

 
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