Many of the rarer populations of orchids are at the edges of their natural ranges in the British Isles and their insect pollinators may not be present. They are watched over during their flowering season by volunteers who are trained to pollinate the plants while guarding them against theft. Some of the seeds are collected under licence for use by the Project. The genetic integrity of plant material is a major concern when attempting this kind of work. Genetic fingerprinting is being carried out in the Jodrell Laboratory at Kew to ascertain whether those specimens of lady's slipper orchid in British Gardens come from the original native stock and their degree of genetic diversity.
Similar studies are to be carried out on other threatened orchids.
A number of the methods developed by the Project could be used to raise some species in large numbers for introduction in gardens and public areas. Specialist nurseries are now starting to adopt the symbiotic technique to raise seedlings. Plants of horticultural merit, such as the Dactylorhizas, are becoming more widely available. In summary, we are taking positive steps to conserve threatened orchids and their habitats, not only through re-establishing and augmenting the natural populations, but also by emphasising their educational, horticultural and amenity value.