Choosing a Favorable Substrate to Cultivate Native Orchids Symbiotically: Examples Using Goodyera tesselata and Platanthera blephariglottis

U.S. native temperate terrestrial orchids are of horticultural and conservation interest but are considered difficult to propagate from seed due to complex ecological requirements and a variable need for a mycorrhizal fungus. Although there has been significant research on germinating seeds and in vitro seedling development on a variety of temperate terrestrial orchid taxa from around the world, few studies have combined germination experiments with appropriate mycorrhizal fungi that support establishment and continued growth for purposes of ex situ collections development, conservation, or restoration. We conducted experiments with two species of asymbiotically propagated U.S. native orchids [Goodyera tesselata Lodd. and Platanthera blephariglottis (Willd.) Lindl.] to determine the effect of four substrates [Bog garden mix (peat:all-purpose sand) (B), New Zealand sphagnum (NZ), NZ sphagnum + 10% powdered tulip tree wood (NZ/W10), and NZ sphagnum + 50% powdered tulip tree wood (NZ/W50)] and whether inoculating with an appropriate mycorrhizal fungus grown on cellulose sorba rods would support orchid growth and survival in containers and subsequently in outdoor conditions. Morphological measurements and survival data were used in conjunction with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assess fungal abundance in containers and the impact of fungal presence on growth and survival characteristics. The addition of appropriate mycorrhizal fungi increased the growth and survival of both species across three (NZ, NZ/W10, and NZ/W50) of four substrates. The addition of a mycorrhizal fungus was not a universal solution to improving growth, but the addition resulted in increased abundance of the fungus and better plant performance. This novel experiment suggests that although addition of appropriate mycorrhizal fungi to orchids may increase performance, environmental and horticultural parameters also play an important role in successful orchid cultivation.