cyps in pots 2012

[Graham Catlow]

I bought this from David at Koolplants three years ago as dormant flowering size. It was indeed flowering size but the flower failed to open. Not sure what I did!
Then two years of only leaves but finally 
I am so happy

Cypripedium smithii

[Maren]

Hi,
the rebunense in my picture is not my plant. The picture was given to me by a very kind man and great orchid photographer to include in a talk on cypripediums. I've had a message disputing that it's rebunense. Whatever it may be, I rather like it and wouldn't mind owning one or two.

Graham, your C. smithii is stunning. I must get one.

[monocotman]

Maren,
nice cyp but what exactly is rebunense?
Is it just the creamy yellow form of macranthos from the island of Rebun?
Can it include plants like yours that are white, if they originate on the same island?
How could you tell 'true' rebunense from any other creamy yellow form of macranthos?
Cribb says that the name is only a horticultural construct.
Regards,
David

[Maren]

Hi David,

precisely, that's why I don't get hot under the collar about names unless it is very obvious.

It is different of course if one wishes to sell a plant, then the correct name is essential. 

I've had many a fruitful discussion with Ian Butterfield about the difficulties of identification. He has done much orchid research in situ, often with Phil Cribb, and his experiences are eye opening. In nature, there can be so much variety in one species depending on locality, the presence of other species and the varying degrees of hybridisation, back crossing etc etc. Unless someone devotes the time and money to perform DNA analysis, we are left with approximations, based on personal choice, experience, preference or bias....

I am rather more interested in the beauty of a plant and flower, its health, vigour, resistance to adversity and general ability to please.

[monocotman]

Maren,

I completely agree.
All the plants that I grow are because I like them, I don't distinguish between species and hybrids.
I don't have any commercial axe to grind which must also muddy the waters sometimes,
especially with high value plants like this form of the species.
What I do have is a pure white cyp with pleasing flowers so that's fine by me.
A nice big potful of clear white flowers is the aim.
I know from experience that the flowers could change in shape and increase in size quite a bit
so that is what I'll concentrate on,

David

[monocotman]

Hi,

a few more in flower today.
First up is a nice flower of Aki.
Next is Lucy Pinkepank( kentuckiense x tibeticum). This plant is approaching maturity and the flowers are huge. About the biggest of any hybrid. The lip is a bit bulbous but it makes for quite a display.
Lastly is the darkest hybrid Pixi ( calceolus x tibeticum).The plant has 25 stems and about 17 flowers, not quite as dark as in previous years, but a good show,

Regards,

David

[Maren]

Hi David,
what a good grower you are!

[monocotman]

Maren,

Thanks but I don't consider myself very skilled -I don't have the time.
 I've just found a way to grow them without too much hassle.
They don't get mollycoddled. There are much more skilled growers on this forum.
Three more late yellow cyps to follow, all hybrids of kentuckiense.
First up is the vigorous hybrid Dietrich(calceolus x kentuckiense). Four years from first flowering and now a nice potful with two flowers on most stems. These have quite a good scent in the right conditions.
Next are two closely related hybrids -  Rascal ( parviflorum var parviflorum x kentuckiense) and Lothar Pinkepank ( parviflorum var pubescens x kentuckiense. Lothar is a bit bigger than Rascal, otherwise they're pretty similar.
Final shot is all three - Rascal is on the left. The parviflorum hybrids have a much brighter yellow lip than Dietrich and more impact.

Regards.

David

[Anthony Darby]

David, I think you've cracked it. My 'Lucy Pinkepank' didn't reach flowering size before I parted with it, but yours is better than I ever thought possible.

[Peter Maguire]

Some lovely plants there David, I would be especially jealous of 'Pixi' if I hadn't acquired one earlier this year  - with three flowering stems, thanks Geoff !

I was away for the recent spell of hot weather and was anticipating potential problems with the Cyps due to the heat - fortunately they are virtually unscathed, and there are some hybrids flowering over the past week that are new to me:
Cyp Carol Ilene (pubescens x hotei)
Cyp Tower Hill (pubescens x speciosum)
Cyp montanum x fasciolatum (doesn't seem to have a grex name registered yet)

All of these seem rather similar (the montanum x fasciolatum hybrid has a bigger flower, probably the fasciolatum influence), but as they are probably in the first year of flowering, I wonder whether subsequent years will bring about subtle changes.

[Peter Maguire]

Here's a close-up of Cyp Pixi.

I've also saved until last my favourite of the new hybrids I acquired this year - Cyp henryi x candidum (again no grex name I could find). The flowers are slightly smaller than the average for hybrids, with a neatness that reminds me of Cyp californicum, and they are always in pairs (two flowering stems) which will be the Cyp henryi influence. A subtle colour, but I am rather fond of it.

[Stephen Vella]

David very nice Lucy Pinkepank , looks like a pink version of kentuckiense and Pixi looks to be a larger tibeticum, sensational hybrids and your skillful growing is showing...

[Peter Maguire]

A couple of plants in flower from this week.

Cyp flavum
Cyp Ulla Silkens - if only there had been a show last weekend to take this one to!

[angie]

A couple of plants in flower from this week.

Cyp flavum
Cyp Ulla Silkens - if only there had been a show last weekend to take this one to!

Peter its always the same, beautiful Cyp,
Like your Cyp Pixi, I have this one and its just finishing flowering now.

Ang 

[Anthony Darby]

Cypripedium henryi x candidum has interestingly variegated leaves.