The "garden centre" cypripediums are back again. I received publicity photos that show thousands of flowering plants in a controlled greenhouse complex at the nursery in Holland. They have introduced three hybrids this year but all have Prefix Kentucky. They all have some pink or red colour though. Whilst enthusiasts are happy with the post flowering price it is a pity the garden centres are not converting more gardeners into becoming orchid lovers. If you are buying dont get carried away by the number of growths. Having checked my new stock those with 6/8 buds often have small root sytems because they have put energy into buds rather than rhizome. The nursery has also been wholesaling a small quantity of c formosanum with 1 to 3 flowers on. Last year the Dutch florists were buying plants,cutting off the flowers and throwing the rest away!!!
