Cypripedium acaule seeds: Should I?

[snappyguy]

I recently came across a place that is selling Cypripedium acaule, the pink lady slipper, seeds. The offer includes a bag of soil that these slippers grow in. I remember seeing these plants growing wild when I grew up, but have since moved and they don't grow in the wild here. Is it worth trying to grow these orchids? I've read that they are very difficult, and I would have to grow them indoors during the summer because it gets too hot for them here.

[PaphMadMan]

Growing any orchid from seed is a challenge for a beginner, and Cyp acaule would not be the easiest choice. Even if you have exactly the right soil it must have the right symbiotic fungus or the seed will not even germinate. That's why orchid seed is usually sown on sterile nutrient agar, not something most people are prepared to do. Either way it takes at least several years of good culture to get plants to blooming size. Good luck if you do try it.

[Royal]

I would be skeptical of anyone selling orchid seed that doesn't disclose that it takes sterile conditions. Sounds like a scam.

Also, it doesn't get cold enough in Houston. You'd need to put them in a freezer for a few months every year. People do this, and if it's something you want to try, take a look atour society's website for a few responsible vendors.

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by Royal

I would be skeptical of anyone selling orchid seed that doesn't disclose that it takes sterile conditions. Sounds like a scam.

Also, it doesn't get cold enough in Houston. You'd need to put them in a freezer for a few months every year. People do this, and if it's something you want to try, take a look atour society's website for a few responsible vendors.

A refigerator consistently between 32F and 40F is sufficiently cold, no freezer needed, and just 2-3 months should be long enough. In Houston you would need to grow Cyp acaule as potted plants. Better off buying a plant or 2 from a reputable source and see if you can even keep them alive than spending many years trying to get from seed to flowering plants.

[snappyguy]

Thanks for the input. I think I'll skip it for now. I'm still new to orchids and don't think I'd be able to really get these going.

[Cyplover]

If you wanted to get a cyp I would go with cypripedium parviflorum bar pubenscens