Rare Orchid guarded by Police

I can remember reading about this orchid being cut down, even though they had round the clock protection  I wonder if it should not be removed  ( by experts) to somewhere like Kew Gardens, as there are too many people, who would just enjoy the challenge to remove it without being spotted. Also others who see it as a way to make money.  

Unknown said:

I wonder if it should not be removed  ( by experts) to somewhere like Kew Gardens, as there are too many people, who would just enjoy the challenge to remove it without being spotted. Also others who see it as a way to make money.  

Hi Brenda

I think what you say makes a lot of sense. Probably much more sense than round the clock police protection every year, especially if someone can still manage to cut it down while it's being guarded.

Best wishes Chris

Hi Brenda/Chris

To me it makes sense to take the plant from its area along with soil that suits its growth, and add the species to the local botanic gardens in the area - Kew or otherwise would be a good thing to do.

Alternative plan is to have a few spare cuttings of the plant makes sense. If one plant fails, or is stolen there is another to fall back on.

Wonder if there is a 'sorted' plan for the plants future just in-case all goes pear shaped.

Regards
Kathy and Dave

this is a very rear orchid called the Lady slipper orchid i beleave... with the lost of its growing sites and modern farming methods we need to safe gard others endanaged orchids and wildflowers before they to are lost forever..

Isn't it a pity we talk of moving this plant to protect it. Reminds me of a song about a tree museum!

The plant could die if moved. If it is the only one to flower, it could be more then just the soil that is special. Maybe seed or leaf cuttings are the answer.

Anyone know if this is being tried?

These plants reproduce by seed, not cuttings.... if only it was that easy.!

I read a report once on how Micropropagation was used to increase the plant numbers of rare Orchids, but in order for the plants to grow on and thrive, the perfect place for them had to be found, Safe from people, animals, disturbance, perfect soil conditions, rainfall, prevailing wind direction, drainage, humidity, sunlight levels etc, etc.....

In the end they found the perfect place for the news plants was exactly where they already where.! 

Its a shame that flowering plants of all types are taken from their natural habitat, not just Orchids, if they were left alone, then they should reproduce and colonise an area so there are lots of them.

Tomorrow I'm off to a local nature reserve/ancient flower meadow where I know there are many orchids, including quite a rare one for Leicestershire, where I am.   Hoping to photograph it, but wont divulge its exact location in-order to protect it.  That's if i can find it in 15 Hectares.!

That sounds like its gonna be a great day Juno I hope the sun shines for you tomorrow .

Please post some pics when ye come back and have a great day

Cheers

AL

Hi Derek

I hope that all 'Orchids' are looked after because they they go they are gone for good.  Yes, with the amount of human and animals disturbance who can say what the future will hold for any rare Orchid.

Linda: The Lady Slipper Orchid is very fragile as plants go so it would have to be replanted or reproduced with care attached.  I understand there have been unsuccessful tried and tested issues done already - but no luck yet.  hope that the article will take important issues back into the foreground once more and another resolution is thought over once more.

Juno: Rare plants need to be kept in a secret place and there are always people who will be undesirables and will go against the grain at the expense of the plant species. 

I know that there was issues with rare Orchid(s) growing in Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, Scotland, so local grazing sheep where removed form the area.  Hard to think now that sheep grazed in this park area at all.  Issues are dealt with according to waht is needed at the time to preserve any rare plants.

Enjoy your walk about in your local reserve Juno, and I look forward to seeing some interesting pictures of Orchids or otherwise.

Regards

Kathy and Dave

Unknown said:

this is a very rear orchid called the Lady slipper orchid i beleave... with the lost of its growing sites and modern farming methods we need to safe gard others endanaged orchids and wildflowers before they to are lost forever..

If you haven't already, you should sign our Letter to the Future to help ensure important wildilfe sites can long be protected. This all requires a fresh acknowledgment not just from charity but also government.  Let's make the new government take more vested interest in protecting wildlife habitats by showing them just how many people feel this should be upped on the new political agenda! here here :-) 193,555 people have now signed the RSPB’s Letter to the Future. That’s 193,555 signatures in just eight months!! Please help by spreading the word to freinds, family and work colleagues on this campaign!

Thanks

L