Zeer pot and growing Cyp hybrids

[Linus_Cello]

Greetings and Salutations-
I'm new to the forum, and as best as I could, I couldn't find a thread on this subject, so I thought I would start this one.
I'm interested in growing cypripedium hybrids. With the hot weather we had in DC, my cyps could have used a "zeer pot" (especially before they were knocked over by my neighbor's cat while I was on vacation, and the person watering the garden failed to notice, so it dried up) (see gardensatposthill.com/website/Cypripedium%20overview.htm). Does anyone on the forum use zeer pots for growing cyps? If so, what would be the best sand to use? Is play sand ok, or should I use something that has less salt, like pool sand?
Also would it be better if each cyp that I'm growing in a pot have its own zeer pot, or could I get a big clay pot and put 3 cyps in it?
The varieties I'll be growing are Gisela, Ulla Silkens, and Lothar Pinkepank.
Thanks!

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome to the OB.
I can't help with your questions but someone with experience will probably be along shortly.
Joann

[dounoharm]

i think i would keep they cyps in the house and away from the cats....i dont know about the zeer pot and whether it is practical to use for growing cyps...i would think it would cut down on the oxygen exchange of the roots and suffocate the plant...i would try it with one plant and see how it goes before i put all my cyps in one basket so to speak....gl

[Linus_Cello]

Cypripeidiums are temperate terrestrial lady slippers, so outdoors in the DC area is fine for them year-round, not like paphs which are tropical and semi-epiphytic.

Another alternative would be to plant them in the ground. But the advantage of having them in a Zeer pot was that I could bring the interior pot to my orchid society show table.

Here's the discussion from the internet site:
In Pots
Pot Culture of Mature Cypripedium
Pots for Warm Climates
Potted Cypripedium may be kept in situations in which temperatures are often high in the summer by growing them in pots with the ability to be cooled by evaporation. There are several ways in which to do this. A very simple method is based on the "zeer pot" method of placing one pot inside another in such a way that the outer pot is kept moist so that evaporation from it causes evaporative cooling of the inner pot.