Bee Orchids

[Jeanne Silvestri]

Hello
I would like to buy some Bee Orchids, plants or seeds, from a legal reputable source preferably in Devon. Any suggestions. Thank you

Jeanne Silvestri

[Richard Lewis]

The only supplier I know of is British Orchids, who are a reputable company that source UK provenance material.
https://britishorchids.co.uk/our-orchids/

[Richard Lewis]

Orchid seeds can't easily be grown into plants - in the wild they rely on just the right soil conditions in combination with a particular species of fungus that the seed develops a symbiotic association with. In cultivation, you need sterile laboratory facilities and to grow the seeds on a nutrient-balanced agar medium. Each wild plant produces literally thousands of seeds, so a few can be carefully collected without harming the wild population. However, remember that some of our rarest species are protected by schedule 8 of the wildlife and countryside act, so even taking seeds may be illegal. Likewise, removing seeds of any plant may be illegal at many nature reserves.

[nicksheron]

The Hardy Orchid Society organise seed growing workshops every year, and have a stock of legally collected seed available to members https://www.hardyorchidsociety.org.uk/. They also have a fabulous journal, anyone interested in wild flowers should consider supporting them. Germinating orchid seeds requires a bit of application but is very rewarding.