Cypripediums 2009 - Page 2 - Orchid Board

slipperfreak · #11 10-03-2009, 02:05 AM

Thanks to everyone for the comments! Here is one more pic that I found, which I quite like. It is Cyp Sebastian, the primary hybrid of parviflorum and montanum. Before I got my montanums this June, I thought it would be the closest thing I would see to a montanum bloom in my garden this year. This was its first flower. It is not as nice as montanum in my opinion, but grows quite easily. I had to stake this one because my potted Japanese maple fell on it in the wind. I was lucky I didn't lose the bud!

The dandelion leaf in the background really enhances the picture, don't you think?

trdyl · #12 10-03-2009, 02:47 AM

Nice group of Cyps, Joe.

RosieC · #13 10-03-2009, 07:16 AM

What Wonderful flowers!

Do you get frosts/snow in the winter where you are, and do the Cyps stay out, or do you have to bring them in?

I'm asking because I've previouly thought about trying to get Cyps for my garden and your pics make me think about it again.

phragguy · #14 10-03-2009, 10:01 AM

those are great

slipperfreak · #15 10-04-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

What Wonderful flowers!

Do you get frosts/snow in the winter where you are, and do the Cyps stay out, or do you have to bring them in?

I'm asking because I've previouly thought about trying to get Cyps for my garden and your pics make me think about it again.

The temps drop to -40 C or lower every year here, with plenty of snow most years. The plants remain outside through the winter as long as they are planted in the ground.

Royal · #16 10-05-2009, 10:36 AM

Joe,

Great shots! I wish I could grow some of those here, but we don't get enough cold weather. I do grow kentuckiense fairly well here, and I'm trying parvi. v. pubescens but it may only make it a few years in zone 8b.

Again, bravo and thanks for sharing.

RosieC · #17 10-06-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slipperfreak

The temps drop to -40 C or lower every year here, with plenty of snow most years. The plants remain outside through the winter as long as they are planted in the ground.

Thanks Jo,

I don't think it gets anywhere near that cold here. I had a guess that in Canada you would get colder than here. Glad to hear you leave them out.

I hope they don't need it that cold. We get snow most years and plenty of frosts but even putting them in my freezer would not get them that cold.

I think I will give some a try in the garden. I would love to grow some outdoor 'chids and I know of a UK website which lists 'hardy' and 'semi-hardy' orchids. They have cyps but I could not find info on whether they were only semi-hardy, which would mean bringing them in and I was hoping I wouldn't have to do that.

Thanks again for the info

slipperfreak · #18 10-06-2009, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Thanks Jo,

I don't think it gets anywhere near that cold here. I had a guess that in Canada you would get colder than here. Glad to hear you leave them out.

I hope they don't need it that cold. We get snow most years and plenty of frosts but even putting them in my freezer would not get them that cold.

I think I will give some a try in the garden. I would love to grow some outdoor 'chids and I know of a UK website which lists 'hardy' and 'semi-hardy' orchids. They have cyps but I could not find info on whether they were only semi-hardy, which would mean bringing them in and I was hoping I wouldn't have to do that.

Thanks again for the info

No Cyps definitely don't need it that cold. They just need it to be near freezing for their dormancy. The biggest thing with Cyps is length of dormancy - most need at least 3 months. If it warms up before the 3 months are up you can have problems. The only species that would have trouble growing in zone 8 are passerinum, yatabeanum, guttatum, and the natural hybrid Cyp x alaskanum. Also, montanum, being a highland species, would need a shaded, cool spot. Otherwise, you should be okay!

By the way, a great warmer growing species is Cyp formosanum. It is a great candidate for a first Cyp in your region, and should be readily available from nurseries like Paul Christian's.

RosieC · #19 10-06-2009, 06:12 PM

Thanks Joe,

I'm definately going to look in to getting some of these.

RosieC · #20 10-06-2009, 06:38 PM

I've just realised that Cyp formosanum is the one I saw at Kew Gardens when I visted in March.

They had it potted indoors but it was a stunning specimin that they had. Here's my pic of theirs, I really like the close up of the flower, but the plant was large with a lot of flowers on it.

This pic is labled up as Cyp NoID, but OB members told me later that it was formosanum.

I really want to see if I can get hold of one of those.