Looking for white Pleione limprichtii

[Ulla Hansson]

I grow Pleione limprichtii outdoors, with coverage in the winter. I've been looking for a white one, but the only thing I found is a picture. I wonder if it exists white limprichtii, and if so, is there anyone who knows where?
How hardy is Pleione formosana relative to limprichtii. Potterton has a white Pleione formosana alba 'Clare'. Is it possible to grow this outdoors.
Ulla

[karel_t]

Sorry Ulla, I've never heard about P. limprichtii var. alba so far. I think it is not exist. I only found this picture, however that is P. formosana  - I guess clone 'Clare'
http://www.agreengarden.com/plants/pleione-snow-white.asp

Regarding P. formosana, there is not possible to grow them outdoor. This species is less hardy than P. limprichtii.
K.

[Ulla Hansson]

Thanks for the reply. Is there any white Pleione which is possible to grow outdoors?
It was here that I saw the picture that I thought was white Pleione.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/297778773EdLepQ

[Maren]

Hi,

I usually throw all my reject pleione pseudobulbs (black/brown spots, rust, slug damage etc.) together with the old compost onto my allotment garden, as a mulch around the fruit trees. In the spring I am greeted by many pink flowers, usually damaged by slugs and snails, but a nice surprise anyway. I have never had a white pleione flower appear, although the whites get thrown out as much as the others.

[karel_t]

It was here that I saw the picture that I thought was white Pleione.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/297778773EdLepQ

Sorry to disappoint you again, but all pleiones from this gallery are wrong named. The spotting on the lips of white pleiones is very suspicious, so I think they aren't P. limprichtii v. alba. However ask Paul Cumbleton, to be sure.

Karel.

[ThomasB]

It was here that I saw the picture that I thought was white Pleione.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/297778773EdLepQ

I don't think any of the 4 Pleione pictures there is correctly named. The 2 pink ones aren't limprichtii and praecox either.

Regards
Thomas

[Maren]

Is it a white herring or a pink elephant???

[Ulla Hansson]

Thanks for all the answers. I'm glad that I can have P. limprichtii outdoors.
But last winter was not so good. There were some who died.
I think I'll buy a white and put in pot, so I can keep it from freezing over winter.

[LarsB]

Hi Ulla,

In general it is probably true when Karel write that you can't grow P. formosana outdoors, but I've done it for many years with some success. I also flower the hybrid P. Fuego outside. I think it has a lot to do with finding the right spot for them. Even though it's slighly colder around Gothenburg than it is here in Copenhagen, it should still be possible to find a sheltered spot whenre they will grow.

[Ulla Hansson]

Hi Lars
Then I buy two white Pleione, and try one out, with good coverage. I guess this is the way that you learn.
Ulla