Cypripediums for the yard - Orchid Board

RJSquirrel · #1 10-06-2010, 07:21 AM

I was in a local nursery the other day and noticed they had what they called "Garden Orchids"..no blooms so I couldnt really tell what they were. So being a noob I asked and was told not much more than what the tag said "Garden Orchid". The man can read. Couldnt tell me if they were really orchids..

Checking some out now they are or were Cypripediums of some kind. Doesnt list my 9a area as favorable to them.

Obviously someone is attempting to grow them here or they wouldnt be selling them.

Can you grow these on the porch in pots easily? Most Ive seen are growing in the dirt and seem particular. just curious as always.

Looking around for some more things in the slipper world. Mexipedium xerophyticum did I hear one say

according to the USDA chart Im in 9a not 9b

Tindomul · #2 10-06-2010, 09:45 AM

Here is a nice article on the subject you might find useful.http://culturesheet.org/_media/users...artin_4-11.pdf

johnblagg · #3 10-06-2010, 09:58 AM

there is a little orchid nursery in the Heights area that sells a few ground orchids cant remember the steet but think its yale and down by the house that lis built like a funnel sitting sideways ....heading towards the Montrose area and the museum ....

kavanaru · #4 10-06-2010, 11:18 AM

check this website too Frosch® Exclusive Perennials - Hardy Lady's Slipper hybrids (the best cyp hybrids in Europe) The website has good advice for growing them...

stefpix · #5 10-06-2010, 11:39 AM

Are you sure those were not Bleilla striata?

RJSquirrel · #6 10-06-2010, 11:41 PM

no Im not sure now I see pics of the bletilla..very similar to the "Garden Orchids". And good sites for information thanks

I need a go back n take some pictures ..Ive seen them also as "LAWN orchids" and "GROUND orchids" and of course no blooms to verify what they were.
Was very skeptical they were actually orchids at all but seems they might just be bletilla

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 10-07-2010, 01:36 PM

Bletilla striata are occasionally sold as regular old spring bulbs.

They're quite easy to grow in pots and do not need to be put in the fridge in your zone. As long as it cools down, it should go dormant just fine.

Cyps are a whole different story...

Apparently if the temperatures don't go down into the high 30's F to low 40's F, they keep growing and exhaust themselves.

They need at least a 3 to 4 month period of dormancy.

The smaller Cyps are easier to accommodate into pot culture. The larger ones are a bit difficult unless they get put in those gigantic planters.

Soil pH is important.

Be careful! Not all Cyps grow in the same types of soil.

RJSquirrel · #8 10-18-2010, 05:52 AM

I have some pics on my other camera of some now I found blooming.They arent slippers and have small purple flowers on them .I bring pics tomorrow and only 6 bucks for a large clump in a 1 gallon plastic bucket..