How much should I water a dormant Cypripedium

[RosieC]

OK, so my Cyp reginae is definately now dormant, the leaves and stem have all dried up.

It's been in a large pot outside and I've now moved that into the greenhouse so I can control the water. I'm probably going to put it back outside once I start heating the greenhouse but cover it in some way.

Anyway, should I be watering it at all while it's dormant. If so how much.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

From what I've done with the Cyp. plectrochilum. It can be watered sparingly.

Here's a general guideline...

Water about once a month.

[johnblagg]

Keep soil moist do not let her dry out....even in dormant state in the wild they would be moist to at times wet from rainfall but always moist at least

[RosieC]

Hmm, not sure I'm any the wiser with two bits of conflicting advise... Oh well that's the way it goes with everyone having different experiances

Still not sure what I'm going to do with it.

[tuvoc]

Rosie, I don't think they are really in conflict. Just two ways of saying don't let it dry out. You will definitely want to put it outside for the winter. They like it cold, but not bone dry for the dormant period.

Kim

[RosieC]

Thanks Kim. OK, so keep some damp in there but doesn't need much.

I will definitely put it outside but covered so I can control water. At the moment the greenhouse is unheated so it was convenient to shove it in there.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It takes a long time for the media to dry out in the cold.

I didn't grow the plant during dormancy all that wet.

[RosieC]

Thanks Philip. That's a good point about it drying out slower in the cold.