Is this Cypripedium exiting dormancy?

[CROrchid]

So, I've just received the Cypripedium formosanum rhizome with 2 "spikes". Considering it was traveling some 2 weeks by mail, I'm wondering if it's possible that it has exited dormancy (due being in warm conditions during the journey)? Photographs are in the attachment, notice that the top of the spike is greenish and the (onion-like) "envelope" seems to be pulled/broken.

I have put the plant in the fridge for the night. I can pot it but I'm not sure whether to do it tomorrow or wait a bit more (temperatures are already going over 5*C on some days here in Europe)? I guess if it indeed is exiting dormancy, then I have no choice but to pot it?

(P.S. This is my first Cypripedium plant, I'm growing Phals and Paphs mostly).

[estación seca]

Bump.

[Ray]

My approach is to wait and see. If you just got them, you have no comparative basis to judge their activity. Keep them in the fridge (no need to bring them out in the daytime) and if you see they are progressing, then your answer is "yes".

Allowing them to warm in the daytime might be "awakening" them...

I had great success with cyps in clay pots of LECA. There was one, rather expensive hybrid I had that arrived as a single growth front, and in 2 years of that, wintering out of the pot in a baggie in the fridge, it had grown to 5. The next winter, my wife, thinking it was some old, gnarly vegetable, threw it away.

[CROrchid]

Originally Posted by Ray

My approach is to wait and see. If you just got them, you have no comparative basis to judge their activity. Keep them in the fridge (no need to bring them out in the daytime) and if you see they are progressing, then your answer is "yes".

Allowing them to warm in the daytime might be "awakening" them...

I had great success with cyps in clay pots of LECA. There was one, rather expensive hybrid I had that arrived as a single growth front, and in 2 years of that, wintering out of the pot in a baggie in the fridge, it had grown to 5. The next winter, my wife, thinking it was some old, gnarly vegetable, threw it away.

Thank you for the helpful response. The reason I was careful with the fridge is that it's moist (even though I put them in a zip-lock bag) and dark, I was thinking that it could induce fungal infections. I've asked the seller as well (he's from Europe as well, with similar climate) and he said that in his growing space they usually start sprouting around this time of year as he doesn't expose them to near freezing temperatures outside. Searching for specific culture for this plant reveals that it apparently does sprout earlier than other Cypripediums, mostly in March.

Under greenhouse conditions, in pots, the plants begin growth in February-March to bloom in April. On the other hand, if kept in a cool area, the growths will come up a half inch or so and sit there until warmer conditions are given. They must be kept from freezing once they have begun to grow.

A.R.-B. >> Cypripedium formosanum