Cypripedium californicum

[Chuck]

Anyone tried Cyp. californicum. I am currently growing it in perlite, lavarock and pine needles. It came back in the second year from seedlings I bought last year. I also grow Darlingtonia californica in peat and sand and found that the Cypripediums do not like the mix as much as the Darlintonias.  I was told that the plants take five years to reach blooming size from seeds.

Anyone have any suggestions to grow them better?

[Maren]

Hello Chuck,

you are doing well. Your seedlings may benefit from a little food, as the mixture you are using offers none. Give them a little balanced feed, well diluted. I have C. tibeticum at the same stage as yours, and they responded well to feeding.

All you need is patience. 

[Chuck]

I use a very diluted fish emulsion every month  .

A friend started cyp. kentuckiense from seed and it took him 12 years to bloom it.  Hopefully it does not take me that long.

[Anthony Darby]

I am assuming the seed was started in vitro on sterile medium?

[Chuck]

I am assuming the seed was started in vitro on sterile medium?

I ordered them online from somebody who does flasking. They arrived the last year in sphagnum moss.

[Anthony Darby]

I ordered them online from somebody who does flasking. They arrived the last year in sphagnum moss.

So about three years old at this stage?

[Chuck]

I think they would be three years old then. But they are two years out of flask

[Anthony Darby]

So five years old then? Cyps are about three years old when deflasked.