Cypripedium 2011

[Anthony Darby]

Beautiful images.

[Peter Maguire]

I thought I'd post a few images to show the variability of Ulla Silkens, currently in flower here.
1. what I think of as the 'standard' form, increases well but this year very tall (50cms). This is the plant that Maggi was trying to persuade me to drive up to Aberdeen with, but it was battered by the wind a bit last week and lost a flower and had damage to the leaves and that was before the latest gales started - it was moved back into the greenhouse for protection before then.
2. Close up of the flower. Most Ulla Silkens I've seen have this heavy pink flushing to the pouch.
3. Another form, flowering for the first time for me this year at 20cms height. I think that it may have come initially from Ian Christie looking at the label style.
4. Close up of the flower - wow!

[angie]

Peter WOW , I want a white one now  ; Aberdeen show next year for sure.

Angie

[Maren]

Very nice, Peter.

[Anthony Darby]

Peter, the white one excepted, I find that the amount of pink depends on the temperature at a critical time in flower formation. I have had different amounts of pink within a clone in the same year. The same is true of my X ventricosum with different coloured flowers on the same stem.

[monocotman]

Peter,

if you check out Svante Malmgren's web site you'll see that he reckons that 10%
of the Ulla Silkens grex flower out as this almost 'alba' form. To me it is the best one.
I have two mature plants, one a dirty white with a pale purplish lip,
the other much nicer with almost white petals and a darker lip,

Regards,

David

[Peter Maguire]

10% of the Ulla Silkens grex flower out as this almost 'alba' form

David,
I must have just been lucky then . I've had the plant for a couple of years and it's only just flowered now. Initially, I think I bought it thinking that I had lost my larger plant - later thinking that if I had known the other plant was still alive, I would have bought something else, now I'm glad that I did!

I find that the amount of pink depends on the temperature at a critical time in flower formation

Anthony,
I think it might have more of a genetic basis than this. The two plants were grown in the same compost, in similar pots (one was bigger, obviously) standing next to one another on a sand plunge last year and were both placed in a similar position on the greenhouse floor over the winter - I can't get the conditions any closer than that!

[angie]

Peter I just noticed your web page  your are a professional photographer, well that explains your excellent pictures. The pictures on your web are fantastic.

My Ulla silkens is just about to open, I am praying that it might open white this time.

Angie

[Anthony Darby]

As I said, the white one is fixed, but I find the pink varies according to the temperature at a certain stage in the bud. I have had clumps (a single clone) with flowers ranging from almost all white to almost all pink in the pouch.

[Peter Maguire]

Angie,
The web page is in serious need of updating - I've not looked at it for about twelve months!
Not a professional though - it must be that practice makes perfect. I've been taking photos for 45 years now - I'd be worried if I couldn't turn out the odd good picture now and again.

Anthony,

I used to like the pink forms, but having seen the white one, I'll never look at the pink ones in the same way again.

[arisaema]

Finally some action in Norway as well! 

[Tony Willis]

As I said, the white one is fixed, but I find the pink varies according to the temperature at a certain stage in the bud. I have had clumps (a single clone) with flowers ranging from almost all white to almost all pink in the pouch.

Anthony

when I was given my Ulla Silkens I thought I had been given two plants when it flowered but not so. I agree with you it varies with temperature and every flower on the plant can be a slightly different colour.

[angie]

Angie,
The web page is in serious need of updating - I've not looked at it for about twelve months!
Not a professional though - it must be that practice makes perfect. I've been taking photos for 45 years now - I'd be worried if I couldn't turn out the odd good picture now and again.

Not a professional well you could have fooled me. Like how you have put a dark background behind your Cypripedium.

Angie

[Maren]

Arisaema,
that Cypripedium flavum is beautiful. 

[Hakone]

cyp. reginae alba