Dactylorhiza – Fingerwurz-Knabenkraut

Distribution:
Dactylorhiza is a large genus with more than 100 described species. It is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere from Europe to Alaska and naturalized in some areas of North America. The genus exhibits several centers of distribution with a diversity of species. These include the European Alps, Scandinavia and the Baltic region, temperate Anatolia and the Caucasus, as well as the British Isles.

Dactylorhiza_purpurella — Dactylorhiza maculata

Plant Description:
Inflorescences 10 to 100 cm tall, leaves along the flower stalk, decreasing in size towards the top. Dactylorhiza has small to medium-sized, numerous flowers. A spur at the base of the lip is always present. The petals are spreading or form a cap. All species are pollinated by insects. The tubers are palmate, finger-like, and develop into roots. Roots also form above the tuber. The section around Dactylorhiza sambucina has more rounded, barely palmate tubers.

Cultivation:
Most Dactylorhiza plants are remarkably easy to cultivate. Generally, they prefer sunny locations or partial shade. D. sambucina and similar species prefer moist soil in spring and slightly drier conditions in summer. The other species prefer moist to damp soil throughout the summer months. With the exception of the Mediterranean species and D. foliosa from Madeira, all species are exceptionally frost-hardy. Regular watering is crucial when grown in containers. Waterlogging should be avoided, at least during the winter. Dactylorhiza should be cultivated outdoors, ideally planted directly in the garden whenever possible.

Dactylorhiza_foliosa — Dactylorhiza foliosa hybrid

Recommended soil mixtures:
The soil mix should have good water retention but also sufficient air and pore volume. pH values of 6 to 7 are ideal. Most commercially available potting soils are suitable as long as they are not over-fertilized.

Species – Note on the plants offered

Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp. hyphaematodesThe leaves are tinged with red on both sides. This particular form usually occurs alongside normal green-leaved plants. However, red-leaved plants are typically the majority within a population. Sowing one seed capsule resulted in 76.5% red-leaved and 23.5% green-leaved plants.

Dactylorhiza purpurella “Palmengarten”. This D. purpurella hybrid is tall and dark purple. It forms attractive clumps after a few years. All Dactylorhiza hybrids are completely winter hardy and thrive in normal garden soil.

Dactylorhiza purpurella „Inverness“. The plants are compact and remain low-growing, forming clumps. Very similar to the natural form. Vigorous and easy to cultivate.
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Recommended reading:
Orchids of Britain & Europe. Pierre Delforge, 1995. Collins Photo Guide. ISBN 0 00 2200244.
Orchideen im Garten: Use, care and propagation. Gerd Kohls and Ulrich Kähler, 1993. Parey ISBN 3 489 636244.
Orchideen für den Garten: European and tropical terrestrial orchids. Alfons Bürger, 1992. Ulmer ISBN 3 8001 64876.
Hardy orchids. Phillip Cribb and Christopher Bailes, 1989. Timber Pr. ISBN 0 88192 147 5.
Die Orchideen Mitteleuropas und der Alpen. Presser Helmut, 1995. ecomed, ISBN 3 609 65600 X
Guide des orchidées d’Europe, d’Afrique du Nord et du Proche-Orient. Pierre Delforge, 2016. ISBN / EAN: 9782603012284

Orchids of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.CAJ KREUTZ, 2024 Kreutz Publishers. ISBN 978-90-831411-2-1.