First Cypripedium!!! :):):)

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

fridge or freezer?

Just put it in the freezer.

NO! Don't freeze it. The temp should be 1-5 C (about 33-41 F). Use the fridge.

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

What about summer? Is it too hot?

I grow Bletilla striata pretty easily here btw.

You will need to keep the Cyp sheltered from heat and sun during the summer. Try putting it in a shady spot with a nice breeze.

It doesn't surprise me that you can grow Bletilla there. They can tolerate more heat than Cyps in general.

I should clarify that artificially Bletillas require the same type of dormancy as a Cyp plectrochilum - 3 months in the fridge. The Bletilla could probably take warmer winters than the Cyp if grown in the garden. The Cyp, however, doesn't make a great garden subject even in a cooler climate, because it is a very sensitive plant that needs protection from the elements and constant monitoring.

Stefpix, B. striata will grow outdoors in Brooklyn btw (although you may live in an apartment there?).

[stefpix]

Joe
thanks
the shoots in one pot looks like King's Cyp.
the other is definitely unfurling its leaves.
do you think would be wise to put it in the fridge?

I also wonder if plants in general can adapt to different situations.
after all dormancy is a response to unfavorable conditions.
so maybe if it is not as strict the plant may still do well.

King do your Bletillas grow and bloom well? do they go dormant?

And if King's Bletillas are doing ok couldn't he do ok by growing the Cyp in similar conditions?

Having 2 small pots I could try to experiment with dormancy / no dormancy.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Thanks!

I hope no one in the house gets pissed when they see a large terra cotta pot in a forgotten part of the fridge...

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Joe
thanks
the shoots in one pot looks like King's Cyp.
the other is definitely unfurling its leaves.
do you think would be wise to put it in the fridge?

I also wonder if plants in general can adapt to different situations.
after all dormancy is a response to unfavorable conditions.
so maybe if it is not as strict the plant may still do well.

King do your Bletillas grow and bloom well? do they go dormant?

And if King's Bletillas are doing ok couldn't he do ok by growing the Cyp in similar conditions?

Having 2 small pots I could try to experiment with dormancy / no dormancy.

The plants in question have been programmed through evolution to go dormant at a specific time of the year, for a specific amount of time. They are expecting the conditions found in their natural habitats, not what is found here. You can't just grow them in your own conditions and expect them to adapt - it doesn't nwork that way. There is a limited amount of climate variation tolerated by the plants - that which is found in their distribution. Beyond that, you can't expect much.

The Bletilla which is unfurling its leaves will be best left out. Give it lots of fertilizer this season, and a nice long dormancy next year. Hopefully it will survive. Of all the commonly grown hardy orchids, it is the most likely to survive this.

The Cyp is a much more sensitive plant than the Bletilla and is not nearly as tolerant of warmer dormancies, or more specifically, inconsistent ones. He could try keeping it outside as an experiment, but it could prove to cost him...When I said that the Cyp and the Bletilla grow in similar conditions, I only meant that the Bletilla could be grown in the same conditions as the Cyp. It doesn't work the other way round. So what I'm saying is, the Bletilla is more tolerant of varying conditions. Sorry I should have been more clear.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

My Bletilla striata is dormant right now.

I think 45 F is good enough for a winter night dormancy temp.

The one I have is gigantic. The largest I've ever seen so far. It didn't bloom this year because of inconsistent watering. This one was around 8" to 10" tall! Each leaf was around 5" to 6" long.

Mine has variegated leaves.

This has bloomed for me before.

The trick to having beautiful Bletillas is to stop watering during dormancy and just occasionally go in there and mist the soil.

Changing out the soil during dormancy is recommended too.

They like a loose airy mix. So a woodland type top soil amended with quite a bit of perlite or pumice is fine.

I plant the bulbs closer to the surface, not so deep.

I've always grown these in plastic pots. I could switch out to terra-cotta next year.

They're in Cattleya type lighting. Grown outdoors all year round.

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Thanks!

I hope no one in the house gets pissed when they see a large terra cotta pot in a forgotten part of the fridge...

I eventually had to get my own fridge specifically for vernalizing my plants because the pots were taking up more space than the food!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Oh, and the stem tubers are nice and green with multiple outgrowths.

I for the first time have seen the roots of these guys when I pulled it out of the pot a bit prior to dormancy.

They're very thin and not very extensive. Not very plentiful either. So be careful with the watering during growing season. While they need copious amounts of water, their roots are prone to rotting because of this, but it's not such a big problem for Bletilla striata. They seem to keep chugging. I wouldn't make bad cultivation practices a habit though.

[Angurek]

I'm afraid I cannot offer you any advice on growing this genus, but I can wish you the best of luck. Congrats on your new Cypripedium, king. Be sure to post pics of it when it matures.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Thanks.

Photos...noted.