Bee Orchid

tonystapleton

I have two fields, one I grow as a flower meadow then graze over winter, the other is summer grazing for sheep. I was topping the sheep field yesterday and found a Bee Orchid in full flower. I left it with the intention of moving it to the flower meadow, but overnight a sheep has taken the top off. My question is what to do, will the orchid give a second flush of flower ? should I move it now or wait ? I should have put a cage over it but that's hindsight.

tonystapleton

Oh, should have said, this photo is of the actual orchid, had to lie down to snap it, so glad I did, but so sad it's now gone.

bertrand-mabel

@tonystapleton I don't think that they will send up another spike but how lovely for you to have seen them. Moving them you need to take up as much of the soil around them as they need the fungus in the soil to help them but it can be risky. Can you leave them in the field and make a cage to protect the site for next year?

Dovefromabove

I think accepted wisdom is not to attempt to move orchids except when there is no other alternative.  It’s a very specialised thing to do. 

Mark the spot and protect it next year. 

You could seek advice from your local Wildlife Trust. 

If you don’t have their contact details you can find them here
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-trusts 

philippasmith2

Agree with @Dovefromabove Mark with canes so you know where it is and try constructing a cage to protect from sheep.
You can actually move them but you will need to ensure that you are moving them to a similar situation.
As above, ask your local wildlife people before you attempt it.  Beautiful flowers and worth protecting