Photo: Rasbak at Dutch Wikipedia (Original text: nl::nl:Gebruiker:Rasbak), CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Herbaceous plant
Southern marsh-orchid: when and how to prune
Dactylorhiza praetermissa
Southern marsh-orchid is best pruned in September.
| Pruning months | September |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–July |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Southern marsh-orchid: when to prune it?
No pruning. Mow in September, after seed set.
What else to prune in those months? September
Southern marsh-orchid: how to prune it?
- Leave the spent spikes until the capsules are brown and open.
- Then mow short and remove the cuttings, to keep the soil poor.
- Mark the plants with a stick so you do not mow them by mistake.
- Pull up young willow, alder and brambles before they start to cast shade.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: September.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not mow over the plants in May–August: you would lose that year’s flowers and seed, and the plant could not properly build up its tuber for the following year.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Southern marsh-orchid · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.