Orchids are a fascinating group of plants that have occupied a high profile in human culture for thousands of years. They are found across all vegetated continents on Earth, occupying diverse habitats—from lush rainforests of South America, to high altitude cloud forests of Asia, to the harsh Australian outback. Today, orchids are under immense threat as a result of human activity, and many orchid species grown by orchid enthusiasts are no longer found in their native habitats. Western Australian orchid species are equally vulnerable, facing threats from land clearing, weed invasion, groundwater depletion and other human impacts. The Orchid Society of Western Australia endeavors to support protection of our exotic and local orchid species and the ecosystems that support them, and promote healthy and sustainable gardening practices. On this page we provide some information on what can be done to protect this fascinating group of plants, so they can be enjoyed by future generations.   

Protecting bushland

Orchids, much like frogs, are important indicators of ecosystem and climate health. Western Australia’s orchids are spectacular, and represent important flagship species that encourage and inspire people to protect the habitats in which they grow. In Perth, these habitats are fragmented due to development of the metropolitan region. One way to support native orchids in Perth is to identify your local bushland reserves, and join the conservation groups that protect them. You might be surprised by the number of orchids growing in your own backyard! The Orchid Society of Western Australia is a member of the Urban Bushland Council of WA Inc. Go to https://www.bushlandperth.org.au/groups/ to find a bushland conservation group near you. Remember that it is illegal to dig up any native plants or pick native flowers. Orchids that have been dug up and transplanted are very unlikely to survive because they depend on complex symbiotic relationships with microbes in their natural habitat.

Pest and Disease Surveillance

Pests and diseases (pathogens) are a threat to both native orchids growing in our bushland and exotic orchids we cultivate. New introduced pathogens are frequently being identified in Western Australia. Members of the community play an important role in pest surveillance and biosecurity—the sooner a foreign pathogen is identified, the greater the chance of it being contained or eradicated. If you come across a potential pest, the MyPestGuide Reporter tool (https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pests-weeds-diseases/mypestguide) is a useful (and free!) resource. You can upload a photo of the problem, and the MyPestGuide team will reply with information on the pest or disease and provide advice on appropriate management. A major pathogen in Western Australia is Phytophthora dieback, which can be spread by footwear or vehicle tyres, causing irreversible damage to our landscape. Strict hygiene measures are required to prevent the spread of dieback. For advice on what you can do to minimise your environmental footprint while bushwalking, see:

https://dieback.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/dieback_hygiene_2_email_version2013.pdf

Waterwise Gardening

Growing exotic orchids in Western Australia can be water intensive, with plants needing supplemental water through our hot summer months. The Orchid Society of Western Australia supports waterwise gardening practices, and promotes collection of rainwater, and periodic reviews of irrigation systems for leaks. There are lots of new water-efficient products coming onto the market. Switching to waterwise sprinkler heads or misters can make a big difference to your water usage (and bills!). The Water Corporation has periodically offered rebates on water tanks and weather-sensitive irrigation controllers, and free reticulation sprinkler checks conducted by a Waterwise Irrigation Specialist. There is lots of useful information for waterwise gardening at the Water Corporation website...follow the link below. https://www.watercorporation.com.au/Waterwise

Responsible use of fertilizers

Exotic orchids require fertilizer for growth, but inappropriate use of supplemental nutrients has a terrible impact on our environment. Fertilizer runoff ends up in waterways and wetlands, where it is responsible for algal blooms. Strategies to minimize the environmental impact of nutrients include only using fertilizers when plants are in active growth, and using low phosphorus or phosphorus-free products. Many orchids do not require large quantities of fertilizer, and we recommend the ‘weakly, weekly’ approach, by using fertilizers at half or quarter strength on a weekly basis, only when plants are actively growing. For more information, go to https://www.sercul.org.au/our-projects/fertilise-wise/