Cypripediums 2009

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by RosieC

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.

What a gorgeous formosanum. I really want to visit Kew.

There are two major hardy orchid vendors that I know of in the UK: Paul Christian's Rare Plants and Ratcliffe Orchids. The websites are Rare Plants and Hardy Orchids respectively. Neither are offering Cyp formosanum this fall but they do have Cyp. japonicum, which is very similar but a bit trickier. Anyway, check them out! Fall is a great time to plant.

[RosieC]

Thanks Joe. I've book looking at Ratcliffe Orchids already, but I will check out Paul Christian's site as well.

[DelawareJim]

Fabulous plants Joe!

What are your growing conditions? How did you amend the soil? My wife and I have been wanting to add some Cyps for a couple of years.

Cheers.
Jim

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

Fabulous plants Joe!

What are your growing conditions? How did you amend the soil? My wife and I have been wanting to add some Cyps for a couple of years.

Cheers.
Jim

My Cyps are all grown in partial shade, either in an east or north exposure. They do very well under trees where they receive dappled shade all day as well. The important thing is to keep them shaded after noon; morning sun is desirable for good flowering.

The soil requirements vary by species. The easiest species to grow is paviflorum (all varieties), which tolerates a wide range of soils, but they must be loose and free-draining. A fluffy texture such as what you would get with a sand and humus mixture is ideal. The hybrids are similarly easy. The soil is best neutral to slightly acidic (pH 6-7) and should stay moist but not wet. The plants will tolerate slightly drier conditions after flowering. They grow best if they are fertilized, and I feed my hybrids the same as regular garden perennials, with Miracle-Gro. The parviflorums get a 1/2 strength dilution every 2 weeks. I fertilize all the Cyps from the time the shoots begin to unfurl their leaves until the leaves begin to yellow in late summer.

Cyp reginae is given a bit heavier, but still free-draining, soil. I add lots of compost to it. I also add bone meal, as reginae likes calcium and likes a pH of 7-8. Bone meal is added to the soil each fall. I mulch the plants with compost or grass clippings in the summer to keep them moist; they are sensitive to drying out. The plants are also fertilized every two weeks with Miracle-Gro, at full strength. I watch for signs of fertilzier burn, but usually reginaes show signs of nutrient defficiency!

Cyp montanum is very easy to rot, and needs a very sharply-drained medium that should stay damp but never, ever wet and should never form puddles in the spring (which can be bad news for any Cyp but especially this guy!). I grow mine in a raised bed for added drainage, and the soil is similar to what I use for parviflorum but I add lots of grit to it. You can buy grit at feed stores out in the country; they use it for chickens. It is fantastic drainage material. I prefer the fine and medium grades. This plant is fertilized as for parviflorum. Being a highland species, I would probably find a cooler spot to plant it in your neck of the woods. It isn't, however, the best starter plant for Cyps.

You would probably have difficulty growing Cyp passerinum in zone 6. It is a very northerly species and needs long, cold winters. If you really wanted to grow it, you would have to plant it in the shadiest, coolest part of the garden, and then I still don't know if it would survive long. You could also try pot culture and artificial vernalization.

If you have any questions about any of the above information, or need info about any plant I haven't mentioned here, just give me a shout!

[Austin Powers]

Joe,
Your pics are great. Where do you get your Cypripedium plants in Canada?? Are there other Canada tolerant outdoor orchids that are easy to find/grow??
Thanks,
Stephen

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by Austin Powers

Joe,
Your pics are great. Where do you get your Cypripedium plants in Canada?? Are there other Canada tolerant outdoor orchids that are easy to find/grow??
Thanks,
Stephen

Hi Stephen,

Most of my plants are from local nurseries in the Edmonton area, and members of the Orchid Society of Alberta. I do have a couple plants from Garden Slippers in Calgary as well, and he may ship to you. The website is at Garden Slippers.

There is also a large Cypripedium nursery in BC called Fraser's Thimble Farms, who will ship across Canada. Their site is at Fraser's Thimble Farms - Rare and Native Plant Nursery. This nursery has the largest selection of hardy orchids in Canada, and quite possibly North America. I haven't ordered from them yet because I hate shipping plants, but I hear they are a good quality source.

Besides Cypripediums, there are few hardy orchids that are widely available in Canada. I wouldn't exactly call Cyps easy to find either - you just have to know where to look. But occasionally, you can find Bletilla, Dactylorhiza, and Goodyera species. Most of these don't grow in my area, but would have a better chance in Alliston. There are also semi-hardy species of Pleione and Calanthe, but I doubt you could grow them outside.

Amongst the rarer hardy orchids are Calypso, Spiranthes, Galearis, Habenaria, Epipactis, Calopogon, Platanthera, Pogonia, and Aplectrum. Some of these are relatively common in the States, but very hard to find in Canada. Calypso bulbosa is supposedly near impossible to grow, but the same has been said of many Cyps species!

[Austin Powers]

Joe,
Thanks for the detailed response. I think I'll just stick to Cypripediums if I decide to plant outside. Being fairly new (couple years) to orchid growing I think it wise to take it slow.
Stephen

[Tindomul]

Amazing collection,