Orchid Habitat Restoration and Preservation
Fiona Stanley Hospital Site
Terrestrial Orchids
Thelymitra crinita Blue Lady Orchid
In 2008 Dr David Deeley, a member of the Species Orchid Society of Western Australia was asked, by Warren McGrath of Strategen and Anthony McEwen of Hassell, about rescuing some of the orchids from the site on which the Fiona Stanley Hospital was to be built. The Western Australian Government’s Environment Protection Authority wished to preserve some of the native vegetation for replanting on the site once the hospital was completed.
David recruited some of the members of the Society including Keith Smith as the man to locate the orchids, Graham and Marg Bowden for their experience in removing orchids and maintaining them in pots and Bob Liddelow a local orchid enthusiast as was Iain McLean to assist him (David) in removing the orchids for future replanting.
Caladenia flava Cowslip Orchid
The orchids were removed and potted over about four days - far too short a time to get all of the orchids- but as we were on a then, construction site, we could only safely be there at these times.
Over the next five years Dr Deeley, Bob Liddlelow, Iain McLean and the Bowdens kept the orchids alive in their backyards. Some even prospered and multiplied.
On the 23rd of June 2013 a few less than half of the orchids were replanted with the guidance of Daniel Panickar of Strategen and Chris Murray of the Fiona Stanley Hospital Project Team, on the almost completed Fiona Stanley Hospital site. Ken Jones and Chris Cabassi of the Society also assisted.
We now need to wait and see if the orchids can survive in their fairly artificial environment.
We do have plenty of them to enable further replanting if necessary.
Marg and Graham Bowden in 2009 collecting Pterostylis vittata.
Some of the orchids in pots in July 2012.
The replanting team on 23rd July 2013.
The replanting team on 23rd July 2013.
The replanting team on 23rd July 2013.
Thelymitra cornicina Lilac Sun Orchid
Written by Graham Bowden
20th July 2013.
Flower Photos: Dr David Deeley
I use normal close-focus lenses (not specialised macro) with twin flash setup on the lens tip so that the background is obliterated (black) and there is maximum depth of focus (i.e. f22).
Orchids Saved and Replanted from the Fiona Stanley Hospital
Caladenia ?
Diuris ?
Calda flava
Pterostylis recurva
Pterostylis nana
Pterostylis vittata
Pyrorchis nigrescens
Thelymitra benthamaniana
Thelymitra cross?
Thelymitra crinita
Leporella
Praesophyllum parvifolium