To be lucky enough to live in the frozen north!

10 years ago

I do hand stands to grow Cypripedium. Here is Cyp regina the state flower of Minnesota. A dedicated fridge where the Cyps spend the winter, 2 swamp coolers, a humidifier, 6 fans and God knows what else makes it work. They grow in northeastern and north central North America, people have them in colonies in their yard. For me only Dandelions will do this without the application of a massive amount of machinery, money and ignorance.

This is the alba version, the regular one can be seen at:

http://www.orchidspecies.com/cypreginae.htm

I also have that one but it is slow to bloom this year. Either one can be bought at Raising Rarities where I purchased them 2 years ago. Despite my expert care they are still alive and blooming, a feat for SOCAL a walk in the park if you are lucky enough to live in Minnesota.

Nick

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Comments (8)

orchidnick
Original Author
10 years ago
Side view.

Nick
orchidnick
Original Author
10 years ago
The leaves look incredibly healthy and vigorous. I found last year that by July they begin to look crappy and fade well before dormancy starts in October. I don't know if that's a function of them living in Southern California or if they also do that in Minnesota. Did not seem to harm them.

Nick
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James _J
10 years ago
Nice plant, I've always wanted to try some in the yard here in New Jersey but the prices have scared me away. My father in law has some mountain land in PA and according to him there are a few areas where they grow. I have yet to find any myself, apparently they are a favorite food of deer and don't last very long.
ashes_of_the_fire
10 years ago
I love the idea of having these out in the yard. I have trilliums that are notoriously hard to grow and find, haven't been brave enough to she'll out the $50+ for a plant.
tucker_sp
10 years ago
The alba variety is very rare in nature - I have only seen it once, in far northern MN, but here is a picture I took several years ago in one of our state parks of the typical form:

{{gwi:149573}}

Every bit as beautiful as any of the tropical orchids!
Tucker
orchidnick
Original Author
10 years ago
Totally agree with you, regina is a beautiful orchid. My regular regina is sulking this year.

Nick
highjack
10 years ago
Nick if you had to pay the heating bill to run your g/h in the frozen north, you would keep growing the Cyps in SoCal.

Anyone who wants to grow the native Cyps in the north must have free draining soil to keep them alive. If you have clay or clay 6" down, they will probably rot in the winter. A very elevated bed would help solve the problem.

Brooke
orchidnick
Original Author
10 years ago
I grew up in Calgary so I know all about it. Some how we always managed and it really was no problem with the proper equipment (plug in stuff for the cars etc). When I was 14 years old, my parents spent 4 weeks on vacation in California and I fell in love with the place at that time. I vowed to live there and when I could I made good on that promise. The climate was only one of several factors.

Nick