First Cypripedium!

[pk93]

So today I just received my first ever Cypripedium! It is a Cypripedium pubescens, which apparently is one of the easiest species to grow, so hopefully i won't kill it. The plant I got should be mature as it had a dried shoot that had a seedpod at the end of it (most of the seeds were gone but I'm still going too try and grow the 6 or so seeds that I got from it). I know they stay dormant until spring and require fairly cold winters to stay dormant; from what i have read mine should like its winter rest to be somewhere between 1ºc and 5 ºc, here in southern California we definitely don't have the coldest winters in the world but they do usually get down to those temperature. Should I just put it in the refrigerator during winter just to be safe? And if I should, when should I do so? Also, I have mine potted in a mixture of the original soil that it came with when it shipped and compost, with some pieces of a broken clay pot and some leca on the bottom to help with drainage; Will this mix work?
any other tips would be greatly appreciated!
thank you!

[PaphMadMan]

The refrigerator is the way to go. You have the temperature range right, but it needs that continuously for 3 months or longer, until you are ready to have it begin growing in spring. Warmer periods could prevent it from getting the winter chill it needs to break dormancy properly, or start it growing weakly before you want it to. If the foliage has (nearly) died down it is ready for dormancy.

The natural soil you have it in will be too heavy and stay too wet in a pot. Potted Cyps do best in a gritty mix that stays aerated, think sand and perlite and a little peat moss, or something like bonsai potting mix, or do an internet search. You should be able to find some specialist vendors that sell Cyps and supplies. A little of the original soil mixed in might help establish the symbiotic fungus that Cyps always have in nature, but the fungus is not necessary for pot culture.

Some of the hybrid Cyps are easier to grow, but Cyp pubescens is certainly among the easiest of the species.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

So envious!! Good luck with this slipper orchid!!

cheers,
BD

[pk93]

Thank you guys so much!.. I will definitely look into the different potting mixes, and I'll put the plant in the refrigerator tomorrow; should i put the plant in the refrigerator pot and all? Thanks again!
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[PaphMadMan]

Pot and all is fine if you have the room. Resist the urge to seal it in a plastic bag - an invitation to rot. But desiccation is just as bad, so check it and add water occasionally.

[Orchidmorris]

I've got a hybrid between pubescence and montana. This one is potted and loves the winters in Holland. I keep it outside and the two winters that it survived were quite cold and wet. I kept it outside but let it stay against our brick house, so it was frozen, but not too strong. I would say the fridge would be good but keep an eye on moulds and don't put fruit in it because of the ethylene.

Good luck and I look forward to the photo's!
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