Cyps wintering in Colorado?

[Izzie]

I've heard that cyprepidiums go dormant in the winter, and you put them in the fridge or some such thing. Is that true?

Are there any that could winter outside in Colorado?
We get below freezing in the winter, but rarely for more than two weeks or so at a time.

[Izzie]

2 days and no ideas?

[RosieC]

I don't know enough about them I'm afraid Izzie.

I know that I really wish I had planted some in the autum because we had a cold winter that would have suited them but I'm afraid I don't know much about them yet, still only just starting to investigate them.

[trdyl]

Hello Izzie. There are several that could be grown outside in your area. Cypripedium parviflorum is native to Colorado.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by trdyl

Hello Izzie. There are several that could be grown outside in your area. Cypripedium parviflorum is native to Colorado.

Wow! Really? I had no idea they could stand the freezing temperatures!
And the Cyp. parviflorum is a surprise, I've never heard of it being native here- only a few bog orchids in the rockies.

Would they have to winter in the ground, or could they be in pots?

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I don't know enough about them I'm afraid Izzie.

I know that I really wish I had planted some in the autum because we had a cold winter that would have suited them but I'm afraid I don't know much about them yet, still only just starting to investigate them.

maybe we'll experiment next year.

[RosieC]

Izzie, I think Cyps like the cold, I thought you were asking if there were any that could cope with only a LITTLE cold rather than lots of it

Someone here on OB told me they keep Cyps in the groung all winter in CANADA and it's freezing for months at a time!

[trdyl]

Originally Posted by Izzie

Wow! Really? I had no idea they could stand the freezing temperatures!
And the Cyp. parviflorum is a surprise, I've never heard of it being native here- only a few bog orchids in the rockies.

Would they have to winter in the ground, or could they be in pots?

Cyps are are temperate not to be confused with Paphs and Phrags which are tropical. They could be over wintered in the ground. But is your soil and moisure compatable? That could be a different story. It might be easier to grow them in a pot which you could sink in the ground over winter.

[RosieC]

Ted makes a good point. I know my soil is not suitable (too heavy clay) and I'm planning to try them in some large tubs I have which I can control the soil quality in.

[Izzie]

I could get any number of soils here- the soil I have to work with in the ground has a lot of clay in it unfortunately. Living in a townhouse, all I have is a little 4x8 dirt patch on the patio. We're getting our AC moved off of it so I'll have more to work with and might be able to mix more stuff in there....


Funny, my county is one where the C. parviflorum var. pubescens is found. Never would have thought to look! Colorado County Level Distribution for Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (greater yellow lady's slipper) | USDA PLANTS