A rescue operation took place on March 21st after demolition work began on the disused site adjacent to the old Rose & Crown on Halifax Road Todmorden. There were a lot of interesting plants on this site and I received permission from the site manager to retrieve any plants I wanted before the whole site was demolished. Early in March, a Bee Orchid (which had flowered two years previously) produced a rosette of leaves and Portia, of the Upper Calder Wildlife Network, safely unearthed the plant along with the fungus on which it depends for its growth. The orchid then took up residence on my balcony in a pot with plenty of the original earth and produced its first flower on June 6th.
The first bud opened on June 6th
Multiple blooms now but the lower ones are fading
Well done Portia and Annie. Bee orchid is such a stunning plant in flower but sadly it usually grows on brownfield sites affected by redevelopment. Hope it can be accommodated into the landscaping of the site.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent and successful rescue of this special plant. I hope that it's future relocation will also be a success.
ReplyDeleteVery well done.
Thank you Bruce. The baton will shortly be passed to Peachysteve who will nurture the plant through to next year, all being well. I feel very privileged to have nursed this beautiful plant to maturity, though the important groundwork was due to Portia's meticulous unearthing. Hers was the most onerous duty!
DeleteWill it need relocating in an alkaline environment? Fairly scarce around Calderdale.
DeleteWow! Can't believe there was a bee orchid and common spotted so close to where I live and I was unaware. If I'd known it would've saved me a long train trip to Silverdale to view them.
ReplyDelete