RattleSnake Orchid - Getting a flowerspike/blooms?

[bunnyskull]

Hi, new member who has browsed the boards for a few months and finally have a burning need to seek the expert advice available here.

I've grown Phalaenopsis / moth orchids for a few years with quite a bit of success. I live in the Appalachian region of the US and decided this year to start growing some of the native orchids found in my region.

After weeks of long hours of hiking on private property (friends & families) wilderness and woods I've finally found some rattlesnake orchids (aka necklace orchids). Woo-hoo! I actually found a small one a few weeks back and just today finally found a good colony area and selected 6 separate orchids. Some are just babies and two of them seem to be almost full grown plants. (I left plenty of the wild orchids growing in the woods, but plan to try and build a nice size colony of them at home, and then eventually return to the woods and recolonize a new area with them in the wild)

MY QUESTION: For my adult rattlesnake orchids - what conditions will cause them to produce a flower spike and go into bloom. None of them have a flower spike, nor were any of the orchids in the wild I saw today in bloom or showing any signs of a flower spike.

I've read these guys bloom in Jul-August and occasionally as late as Sept. so I'm wondering why I'm seeing no signs of a flower spike on any of them. What conditions do they need to start a bloom cycle?

I've found some good info on rattlesnake orchids online - but nothing on how to get them into bloom or long term growing and propogation of them.

Any advice would be much appreciated but any advice on getting these to bloom would be fantastic.

THANKS!!!

PS - I'd be happy to post photos for anyone interested. I'm quite proud of my new babies and would be happy to share.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

They'll bloom when they're ready. With Goodyera spp., I don't think you need to worry too much.

The wild ones are probably not blooming sized yet.

The one(s) you own may have the same issue. Then there's the issue of just getting them.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Wait a second...

You're one of few people who actually care about the blooms on these plants...

That's unusual.

Most people grow them for the leaves, not the miniscule and often times non-showy white and green flowers.

[bunnyskull]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

They'll bloom when they're ready. With Goodyera spp., I don't think you need to worry too much.

The wild ones are probably not blooming sized yet.

The one(s) you own may have the same issue. Then there's the issue of just getting them.

Thanks for the reply.

I think at least one or two of them are mature enough for blooms - I'm attaching a photo with a ink pen for size comparison so you can judge. This trio is a good representation of the sizes of the goodyera I currently have, with one or two babies that are smaller.



As for caring about the blooms - its all just part of the enjoying the plant. I do think the leaves are amazing but I want to see the entire range of the plant so I'm just trying to find advice on how to get optimal environment for some blooms.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The bigger one might bloom, idk. It looks like something wants to come out of the apex of the plant.

Did you dig out the ground they originally came from along with them too? Genius!

If they didn't suffer root damage, then you're okay.

[bunnyskull]

Anyone on here have any experience growing goodyera - rattle snake orchids? I'm doing as much research as I can online, but seem to find the same pieces repeated rather than good fresh information.

My plants are looking good so far but I notice they are suddenly and dramatically leaning towards the sunlight. They are plants that require shady environs to thrive so it surprised me how much they started moving towards the light. (I have them in a corner of the room that receives a good dose of morning sun, filtered through a sheer curtain) Is this okay? Does it mean I should give them a little more light? Just want to make sure I'm not missing any signs here.

Here's a photo taken earlier today, you can compare it to the above photo to see how much it is striving towards the light (which is to the right). Also is it a good or bad sign if some of a plants leaves start pointing up towards the sky?



Also, I returned to the area where I found the orchids to do PH readings on the soil, light and temp measures, photo the forest canopy, etc.. so I could try to recreate their natural environment as closely as possible. While there I also photographed some of the small plants in the wild. If anyone is interested in seeing the photos or could benefit from the environmental data I got about their wild growing environment, just let me know and I will post it to share.

[ronaldhanko]

I don't know what state you live in, but this is a protected or endangered plant in some states. I personally do not believe that native plants should ever be dug up and removed - that's why so many of them are now endangered or even extinct, and that's especially true of many native orchids.

[bunnyskull]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

I don't know what state you live in, but this is a protected or endangered plant in some states. I personally do not believe that native plants should ever be dug up and removed - that's why so many of them are now endangered or even extinct, and that's especially true of many native orchids.

For one the plant is not listed as endangered or protected in my state.

But don't worry, the only rattle snake orchids I dug up were on private property that the gas company has leased (or bought in one case) in order to build transmission and gathering lines for natural gas - and bringing in lots of heavy machinery to do so. This was more of a rescue mission in my mind because they could care less what plants and wildlife are in their way. So I've been going to the areas in their path to collect any orchids (but all I've found so far are the rattlesnake) and some types of moss and wild flowers.

The ones not in the path of the construction and their vehicles I left alone, and photographed in their natural habitat. I don't take wild orchids out of their environment unless I know they are in danger of being destroyed.

My plan for the plants I have now is to try and grow and propagate them for the next two years. If I have success I want to return the new additions to a safe area of the woods where I found them (and if I manage to grow enough of them - also to a state park close to my house) in order to try and help them flourish in the wild.

It almost feels magical to come across these plants in a dark, shaded forest and I'd like to help make sure they continue to be there for myself, and others to enjoy, in the future.

[ronaldhanko]

Originally Posted by bunnyskull

For one the plant is not listed as endangered or protected in my state.

But don't worry, the only rattle snake orchids I dug up were on private property that the gas company has leased (or bought in one case) in order to build transmission and gathering lines for natural gas - and bringing in lots of heavy machinery to do so. This was more of a rescue mission in my mind because they could care less what plants and wildlife are in their way. So I've been going to the areas in their path to collect any orchids (but all I've found so far are the rattlesnake) and some types of moss and wild flowers.

The ones not in the path of the construction and their vehicles I left alone, and photographed in their natural habitat. I don't take wild orchids out of their environment unless I know they are in danger of being destroyed.

My plan for the plants I have now is to try and grow and propagate them for the next two years. If I have success I want to return the new additions to a safe area of the woods where I found them (and if I manage to grow enough of them - also to a state park close to my house) in order to try and help them flourish in the wild.

It almost feels magical to come across these plants in a dark, shaded forest and I'd like to help make sure they continue to be there for myself, and others to enjoy, in the future.

Thanks for the additional information. That makes my day!

[Connie Star]

It's so nice to see someone is rescuing, propagating and returning to nature native orchids. Thank you for your hard work.
I have the good fortune to actually have some Goodyera and some Cyps growing right on my property, adjacent to a large state forest. We get very few hikers, but are alert to anyone who might try removing them. So far the only people who've noticed them are content to enjoy them and leave them be.
Quite a few years ago, my sister moved into a new development and actually cut some pink lady's slippers and put them in a vase! I did recently start speaking to her again.