Cypripedium 2007

[Thomas Huber]

Hey Irm - is that really you???
Welcome back!!!

[Irm]

Hey Irm - is that really you???
Welcome back!!!

yes yes, Irm, Berlin, the old ....
 

[Anthony Darby]

Not bought any cyps recently, but here is a good link: http://www.cypripedium.de/forum/messages/2555.html

[Lesley Cox]

That's an excellent demo Anthony, worthy of the bulb log. My one cyp (C. formosanum) has almost reached that stage again, though it hasn't flowered since the last time I divided it, about 4 years ago. Any tips to solve THAT problem? There are nine shoots this year but well spaced out over a big pot.

[John Forrest]

Lesley, I had the same problem with my C. formosanum and was told by 'one in the know', that the flower buds were probably aborting because of water from overhead. I made sure that I didn't let any water get onto the foliage that year and it produced a pot full of flowers.

[Lesley Cox]

I'm not sure that will be the problem here John. There has been nothing that looked like the beginnings of a bud to abort (like with double trilliums for instance). It could be too dry through almost all the year and I'm pouring on water now while it's in leaf to try and get the "noses" growing a bit stronger. I had it in the garden for a long time and no flowers. Thought it was too cold in winter so put it in a large pot in the tunnel and still no flowers. It's not the clone or anything like that because I gave a piece to a friend in the central (much colder) North Island and his flowers quite disgustingly freely. I may also have it planted too deeply so when it dies down again, I'll lift and replant closer to the surface. I seem to remember Anthony or someone suggesting shallow planting for cyps.

Is it OK to fertilize cyps? say with a high potash Osmacote? And I will keep watering to below the foliage, rather than douse the leaves as I currently do. Thanks.

[t00lie]

Spot on Lesley--I had the same problem with my C.formosanum.It was only after i replanted shallow ,just under the top of the leafmold mix that i started to get flowering.

A pic a few minutes ago of a plant well past its best .Background is dark as the Cyp. has started to 'run' in amongst a clump of Paris.Another potential weed---!!!!!sigh--lol.

Now i must get away back to work.

Cheers dave.

[Stephen Vella]

Is it OK to fertilize cyps? say with a high potash Osmacote? And I will keep watering to below the foliage, rather than douse the leaves as I currently do. Thanks.
[/quote]

Hello Lesley,
Yes do fertilise your formosanum, at 1/4 strenghth with something like cymbidium orchid food for flowers every fortnight,its inorganic.My plant came from Otto about 5yrs ago and it flowers every year.

Shouldnt think that watering the foliage would stop it from flowering, I do, they love it!!

Dont recomend a granular fertiliser, as there may be a risk of an over dose of salts as its tempreture dependant in release and on a hot day could mean too much is realeased when watered.

good luck!!

Cheers
Stephen Vella
Blackheath, Australia....raining cats and dogs here !

[Lesley Cox]

Thanks Stephen, I'll do as suggested then.

Pleased to see you've joined the Forum. Much more interesting and dynamic than the nowadays thoroughly boring Trillium-L.

I've been to Blackheath briefly, 4 years ago. I remember a very nice bakery with super pies and other things. Hope to visit again next year. Also have been to Mt Tomah Botanic Garden as well. A most interesting and attractive place.

Cheers

[Stephen Vella]

Thanks for the welcome note, Lesley  Yes I do agree that this forum is very dynamic but I would'nt say Trillium-L was boring, it has lots to offer and they got me hooked on Trilliums.

And yes the best bakery in the Blue mountains has to be the Blackheath bakery, their cakes are supplied by local residents..home made, YUM!

Cheers
Stephen Vella
Blackheath Australia

[Paul T]

Stephen,

Welcome to teh forum.  Great to have you with us.

Dave,

Your Cyps are "running" amongst a clump of Paris?  I think I'm going to be sick!!    I can only imagine how much of a hardship it must be for you!!    I wonder how many people around the world feel the urge to kill you about now!!   

Closest I have to a Cyp is a Paphiopedilum orchid.  Not quite the same, and definitely not running!!      Lovely pic by the way.... the black background suits it beautifully!

[Maggi Young]

A warm welcome to you, Stephen!

Dont recomend a granular fertiliser, as there may be a risk of an over dose of salts as its tempreture dependant in release and on a hot day could mean too much is released when watered.

An excellent point to make about pelletised/granular fertilisers.... not realised by many,  is this danger of a release of too much/ overdose or just too much at the wrong time with this type... it's why we don't use it much.

[t00lie]

Paul--I understand Cyp formosanum ,(the only species i have),is one of the easy ones-- so no great skill in it multiplying here in our cool moist climate.

I'm seriously thinking of *sorting out the entry requirements ,(NZ Conservation Department --Biosecurity --Quarantine ---etc etc and all the paperwork that goes with it!!!!) and then ordering about a dozen hybrids to be imported into the country.

My biggest concern is where/how they would be quarantined in NZ---I'm guessing it would need to be down this end of the country for them to survive that period  and i'm uncertain whether there is a facility here in Southland.

While there are about 20 species listed on our approved list last time i looked ,i'll also need to check that  hybrids from any of those parents will be okay .

*It'll have to be a winter job when things are a bit quieter.

Cheers Dave.

[Lesley Cox]

Blue Mountain Nurseries has a public quarantine facility and Denis Hughes would certainly be interested but your main problem is you'll have to get a CITES certificate, even for man-made hybrids. Issued by DOC who are bloody-minded about bringing in exotic plants.

Otherwise, hybrids of permitted species are OK.

[Stephen Vella]

Hello Maggie and Paul,

Maggie about the pelleted fertilizer, its released at the right time, its just too unpredictable, some of the cheaper brands just release it all at one time with your watering cause the coating breaks down too fast and with Cyps you just need to be very carefull, could mean an end to a collection.

Paul there are Cyps in Aus, species and Frosh hybrids and they come at an added big price.

In regards to CITES papers, Lesley you right when it comes to importing adult Cyps but this is excempt with seedling that come in vitro ''gell media in a container", hybrids and species Cypripediums. Something to think about. Also with flask seedlings there's no need to Quarantine or fumigate and if you know someone flying into the country your allowed 6 flasks in with a quick inspection, look over at the airport, well thats here maybe differant there in N.Z.
cheers