Cyp reginae... when is it meant to die back for winter... because mine is now!

[RosieC]

I have a cyp reginae in a tub in my garden and the leaves have gone really brown over the last couple of weeks.

I know these die back over the winter, but it seems a little early to me. Is this normal at this time of year?

We have had a rather cold wet spell for a couple of weeks and I'm not sure if that has affected it.

What do you think, is this normal?

[johnblagg]

They will be dieing back about now and wet should not be a problem if it has good dranaige.....I know the wild yellow would be about now for sure ...lol if the neighbors dog had not dug mine up and ate it years ago this is when it would be drying off....I was truly pissed about that one had had it 3 years and it was getting bigger each year and made two blooms per lead that year on 4 leads

[RosieC]

Thanks John, that's good to know. I'm quite relieved as it seemed perhaps a little early.

It is is in a type of gravel medium which drails REALLY well. That's what it was sold to me in and the guy from the nursary said that with that medium it was pretty much impossible to overwater it.

I plan to move it under cover for the winter. I've been advised that while they like cold the winters here in the UK are cold AND wet and that it's best to keep the rain off once the temps are down towards freezing.

[johnblagg]

well It will not hurt to keep it from being soggy in winter for sure they grow in the mountains here mostly and in very well drained areas the same applies here to cacti actually many will grow outside here if kept dry in winter and I plant those in 2/3 gravel mix and have one that has survived 10 years now outside...one just like it planted directly in the ground would rot every year.The one that lives with no problem is in the very same spot but in a large pot 2/3 gravel and 1/3 soil the roots grew right out the drain holes and into the ground and it is always fine now....LOl cant move it because it is so well rooted into the soil now it was always the trunk that would rot roots do fine.....oh it is about 8 foot tall now.

[RosieC]

I think they told me this was a potted in a mixture of gravel and peat.

I really want to be able to grow cyps and will probably try some more soon.

[johnblagg]

me too but lOl cant find them here unless ya want to pay a arm and a leg .....and the frosch hybids are too cool but only limited availability here.I have several vendors bookmarked for when I can afford the 50 to 100 dollars each they want.Maybe someday

[RosieC]

Yeah, they're not cheep here either, although sounds like not as bad as where you are.

This was a cheep one at only £20, most are £30+ though and that's for a single lead, one of the nursaries charges and extra £10 for every additional lead. Seeing as I've only ever paid over £30 for one of my orchids that puts it in the higher cost bracket for me.

[johnblagg]

yeah it does but I am going to get some in time just got to wait a bit more have a little income boost coming soon that will let me get a few....yay.And it is the right time of year to ship them here they have to be dormant for shipping.I realy want several different colors of the frosch hybrids and a couple of the native types

[RosieC]

Yeah, I was just thinking about the fact that they're going to be shipping soon.

I bought this one with one flower open and one bud about to open in the summer from a show, but usually the nursaries ship them in the autum once they are dormant.

Hmm... might have to seriously consider getting another

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Yeah, I was just thinking about the fact that they're going to be shipping soon.

I bought this one with one flower open and one bud about to open in the summer from a show, but usually the nursaries ship them in the autum once they are dormant.

Hmm... might have to seriously consider getting another

LOL and that answers when is it time for this one to go dormant .....