Cyprypediums in S/H ?

[Royal]

OK, I did it! I potted a Cyp kentuckiense in S/H! We'll see how it does. I've seen this species growing within feet of a creek so it might do well. I'll get it out of there if I see it taking a turn for the worse, but I have a good feeling about it. I'll get a photo on my lunch break. Not much to see, as the eyes are just turning green and coming out of dormancy, but it kind of cracks me up to see a cyp in s/h!

Constant moisture + good air to roots = why the h**l not?

Wish me luck!

[kavanaru]

please, keep us on the loop

[Royal]

Here are the pics as promised. Also as promised, they are nothing special. Just a "before" to compare with an "after" to come later.

OK, one won't upload. Here is the close-up:

[Royal]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

please, keep us on the loop

Ok, almost a month later and so far, so good. We did have a storm that came through and I think a tree branch knocked over the s/h pot! It was kind of bittersweet -- I was worried it would be shocked, but it gave me a chance to check out the roots. There was already lots of healthy new roots , especially compared to the shoot, which is growing slooowwly. It didn't seem bothered and has bounced back just fine.

They are all looking good so far, but still not really much to look at. I'll post another pic when they actually look like Cyps. Wish me luck, these plants are really special to me.

[kavanaru]

that sound good I'll keep my fingers crossed for you...

[kavanaru]

Royal,

How is your Cyp doing? Did it like S/H?

[Ray]

Cyps seem to be particularly temperamental about pH, so I would bet that chemistry will play a bigger role than degree of wetness.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by kavanaru

Royal,

How is your Cyp doing? Did it like S/H?

Well, I don't think ANY of them really like Texas. Most of them are ok, but just ok. My S/H pot tipped over again so I just potted it up like the others. The repeated disturbance can't be good. I used the s/h pot for an orchid I can keep on the nice, flat bench.

I still have a lot to improve in my culture before I can do any kind of controlled experiments. Ray is probably right, pH and heat and me, probably are bigger issues than moisture of the medium.

I'll try it again, but maybe with the smaller particle size LECA, and not until I get a few other things strait.

[Jorch]

Great thread! I might try some of my cyps in S/H next year.

I was told by experienced cyp growers that the cyps grow better with roots spreading horizontally rather than vertically? So instead of the usual round deli container, I think I'll try the rectangular "flat" food containers with finer medium like small size diatomites or sponge rock?

I still have a whole winter to think about that idea..