cyps in pots 2012

[angie]

Hello Stephen,

Michael Weinert's recommendation of hoof and horn related to growing cyps in a garden, not in pots. I haven't discussed pot culture with him because, without sounding smug , I think I've more or less cracked it.

Good on you Maren 

Here are my last Cyps, please say if I have the wrong names. Blackbird must like the colour of my labels as they are always out of the pots, think I will change the colour next year to see what happens.
Out of twenty two pots, only two Cyps never flowered. There were large plants with lots of foliage but no flowers, hopefully they will flower next year for me.

Ang 

[Peter Maguire]

Lovely plants there Angie, obviously growing well.

Maren, after your earlier posting about the hoof and horn fertilizer I went straight out and put a light dusting on my pots. It doesn't seem to have done them any harm (yet)! In fact I even gave a polystyrene box of seedlings a light dusting with the stuff: I had been worried that they were looking a little pale this year, but they seemed to be greener within a day or so. Of course it could just be wishful thinking on my part. 

[Maren]

Hi Peter,
heavens, are you are a fast worker.
I hope you worked your light dusting into the soil, otherwise it will dry our and not release its goodness to the roots where it is needed. Glad to hear your seedlings liked it.

I have been much encouraged by talking to Michael. My feeding regime for cyps has been very cautious up to now, never exceeding 600 microSiemens and only every other week. I think I shall feed weekly now and I might be tempted to go up to 800µS. Fingers crossed.

[Peter Maguire]

Dry out? Have you seen the weather reports for northern England recently? I had trouble keeping it 'dust-like' to spread on the pots!
I hear they're missing some monsoon rain in India - I can tell them where it went. 

[Stephen Vella]

So Maren what are you feeding your potted Cyps with? and does it contain urea?

[Stephen Vella]

Angie your Cyps look amazing.... and healthy. That first one is a beauty!

[Maren]

Hi Stephen,

my potted cyps dine on a varied diet with ingredients such a fishmeal, seeweed, and conventional orchid feed, grow (not bloom) formula. I never use urea on orchids, I understand they can't take up the nitrogen it contains, but don't quote me on that, I'm not a chemist.

[Brian Ellis]

Well I thought I would take the plunge after seeing so many lovely Cyps on the forum, I've started with one C.Gisela as it is described as good for beginners (and I believe everything I read).  Any idea on how old it is and how long it will be before I see a flower?

Whoops, still in holiday mode, forgot to post the picture!

[Peter Maguire]

Based on the size and the price (very reasonable, I must say), I'd hazard a guess at summer 2014 for your first flower. Don't book a holiday for June that year, it would be a shame to miss it. 

[Brian Ellis]

Cheers Peter, one of the highlights of the holiday was a visit to Long Acre Plants to get Polystichum setiferum 'Plumoso-multilobum' somehow we managed to walk away with a trayful of plants!

[Peter Maguire]

somehow we managed to walk away with a trayful of plants!

You've got them problem as me then! 

[Graham Catlow]

Here are my last Cyps, please say if I have the wrong names. Blackbird must like the colour of my labels as they are always out of the pots, think I will change the colour next year to see what happens.
Out of twenty two pots, only two Cyps never flowered. There were large plants with lots of foliage but no flowers, hopefully they will flower next year for me.

Ang 
[/quote]

Hi Angie,
Excellent plants! It seems you have mastered the art of Cypripedium growing very quickly.
I really like Pixi.

[angie]

Brian if  I can grow these anyone can  . I liked the thought of trying to grow plants that need a cold spell and thats something that I can offer up here in Aberdeen. I was really concerned about the leaves on some being very pale but hearing that others had the same problem I don't feel so bad. I now need to get some feed into these plants. The plant food that Maren is speaking about can it be purchased at garden centres.

Graham you do like the dark ones  please remind me later and I can give you a couple of noses of Pixi.

Angie 

[Maren]

Hi Angie,

I tend to use Focus Orchid Grow http://www.amazon.co.uk/Growth-Technology-Orchid-Focus-litre/dp/B003UMSSD6/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1340745552&sr=8-16. A deteiled description can be found here http://www.growthtechnology.com/orchidfocus.asp.

It's a bit expensive but makes an awful lot of food when diluted. There is also a Bloom version. The Grow version is high in nitrogen, the Bloom version is high in potash.

[angie]

Hi Maren

Thanks for that information. We have to give our plants the best no matter what it costs 

Angie