Tipularia discolor - the cranefly orchid

[fredg]

A woodland orchid from North America, Tipularia discolor, the Cranefly Orchid.
This carries the nicely marked leaf over winter, becomes dormant, then flowers late summer with a bare inflorescence.
It is recommended to be kept on the dry side but my pot of them has self set Drosera capensis flowering, so perhaps a position in a drier part of a bog would be suitable.

[Maggi Young]

Very nice, Fred, never heard of it!
Not as showy as your 'apricot spectacular' in the Bog garden thread, though....
http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5554.msg163853#msg163853

[mark smyth]

Does anyone grow the cranefly orchid Tipularia discolor

I had one in a pot that came through the very cold winter of 2010 OK. When it died down for the summer I planted it in my woodland bed. It had produced an extra tuber and looked very good. I just realised it didnt flower this autumn. Is it possible it is taking a year out?

[Maggi Young]

 I can't help, Mark.... never grown it but here's a page to introduce it.....
http://www.missouriplants.com/Others/Tipularia_discolor_page.html

[daveyp1970]

Mark i hope fred looks at this because im sure his plant took two or so years out and then reappeared and he could tell you more about it.

[mark smyth]

THanks Maggi and Davey

[fredg]

Mark,

I posted here earlier this year http://www.srgc.org.uk/smf/index.php?topic=5931.0, not too may replies  

The plants Dave refered to indeed took a full year out, not even sending up a winter leaf.
They returned last year, flowering this.

I was also sent some Aplectrum hyemale tubers which showed nothing for 2 years.
I now have two pots full of leaves and half of them look remarkably like Tipularia.

I'd say start worrying if you don't see any growth by 2013  

[mark smyth]

Thanks Fred. Maybe I'll have a wee poke where it is. How much cold have your plants survived?

[fredg]

They are in greenhouses with windows open all year and no heating provided.
The temperature in winter will be as if they were outside.... they're just sheltered from rain.
They're very hardy

[Afloden]

Tipularia is very hardy. I know that the northern populations have taken -24F several times in my lifetime even.

 They do not usually flower each year from my experience. Cultivation may change that, but I have never had mine flower in the garden.

 Aaron

[mark smyth]

My plant must have died but I still live in hope