Orchids 70 years newly hatched once

The least blooming orchid in the UK has just bloomed after 70 years of waiting. It opens up opportunities for breeding for plants that are on the brink of extinction.

>>>Discover rare and precious orchids named in the red book

The orchid species, Cephalanthera Rubra, suddenly turns into a single purple flower cluster.

This flower was discovered in 1940 but almost disappeared in recent years. Scientists use cutting method to propagate 30 orchids and plant them in a secret place in nature. After 70 years since its discovery, researchers have seen the first flower of this rare orchid variety.

Small purple flowers are the hope for breeding.

When newly discovered in 1940, this orchid has only 3 individuals so the conservation is considered very difficult.

Scientists are really fortunate to visit orchids on the right occasion.

Cultivated in a secret location in the deep forest, scientists only came to check the living conditions of this flower once a year. However, they were lucky to visit precious orchids on the occasion of one of them blooming. This orchid only blooms within 10 days before the petals wilt and fall. Experts are trying to help this flower pollinate in natural conditions in the hope that they can produce seeds to facilitate breeding.