The Meadow Makers' Network Forum

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

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/

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.

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.