Cypripedium kentuckiense - where to plant it?

[arisaema]

My "bargain basement" kentuckiense looks like it's grown quite a few new roots over summer, and I'd prefer to plant it out in the garden - but where? Keeping it "rather dry" as the book suggests is easier said than done in a climate where the norm is nearly 2000mm of rain, and I seem to remember reading that it requires a fair bit of heat to develop next years flowers?

My first thought was to plant it facing south, surrounded by a couple of smaller rocks for heat and a bit of protection, but will it tolerate nearly full sun here in southern Norway?

[Maggi Young]

I have no idea..... but Finn H. grows wonderful Cypripediums in Tromso so I'd ask him.

[arisaema]

I would, but I don't think his experiences would translate this far south I'm on the same longitude as Helmsdale in the Highlands.

[Maren]

Definitely in the shade, but no overhanging branches.

[Maggi Young]

I would, but I don't think his experiences would translate this far south I'm on the same longitude as Helmsdale in the Highlands.

I'd forgotten you were practically in the Tropics, Bjørnar 

[arisaema]

Definitely in the shade, but no overhanging branches.

Thank you, Maren! I guess I'd better keep it in a pot over winter then, the garden is still young and I'm running out of trees...

I'd forgotten you were practically in the Tropics, Bjørnar 

LOL! Not sure about tropics, but certainly a rainforest

[Maren]

The important thing in winter is to ensure that no sun falls on the pot, as it would warm up the compost and make the plant think that it's spring. It would then break dormancy and start to grow when there is more cold weather to come. This could result in damage to the new shoots.

You could bury it under a very thick mulch of pine needles or straw to keep it's root temperature as even and cool as possible during the winter.

[JohnLonsdale]

My "bargain basement" kentuckiense looks like it's grown quite a few new roots over summer, and I'd prefer to plant it out in the garden - but where? Keeping it "rather dry" as the book suggests is easier said than done in a climate where the norm is nearly 2000mm of rain, and I seem to remember reading that it requires a fair bit of heat to develop next years flowers?

My first thought was to plant it facing south, surrounded by a couple of smaller rocks for heat and a bit of protection, but will it tolerate nearly full sun here in southern Norway?

Here in south-eastern PA we are on the same latitude as Madrid and many of my kentuckiense grow in open conditions, certainly at least 6-8 hours of sun per day, with a south-easterly aspect.  Once established they are incredibly drought tolerant, even though by the end of the summer they look a bit on the yellow side and tatty.  They will build up faster in more light and are very easy to grow.  Plant them out and try them - I can always send you a replacement if it fails.

All the best,

John

[arisaema]

You could bury it under a very thick mulch of pine needles or straw to keep it's root temperature as even and cool as possible during the winter.

Thanks! I've usually kept them in live sphagnum in the fridge over winter for the reasons you mention, and the fact that winters can be really unreliable for a poor plant in a pot, with several deep freeze/thaw cycles and lots of rain...

Once established they are incredibly drought tolerant, even though by the end of the summer they look a bit on the yellow side and tatty.  They will build up faster in more light and are very easy to grow. 

Thank you, that was admittedly the reply I had hoped for! I can live with yellowish and tatty leaves, some of my C. reginae growing in full sun get that way, C. tibeticum and flavum on the other hand seem to love it.