This is an unusual andrewsii from VT Ladyslipper. It is unusually tall, almost 23 inches as you shall see below with the yardstick for comparison. It has 21 blooms this year and is a good 6 - 8 inches taller than last year:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/589/tallandrewsiiwithyardstij2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


And here is a shot without the yardstick. I have to have the basket around it to keep the pests away:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8415/dsc00646jj2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)



By Ladyslipperdude (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/Ladyslipperdude)

Excellent, Paul! No matter how nice it looks each year, it looks even better the next!

Ron

very very beautyfulll:heart::heart::heart:

You sure know how to grow those beautiful Cyps! Thank you for sharing them with us.

Your cyps are amazing! All of them are so nice and well kept; Good Job!! :thumbsup:

Amazing cyps in your garden...:cool:

They all look great! Wonderful pix.

Beautiful and so well grown!

It is a monster this year Paul! Can't wait to see the mega reginae....

Great view :)
Paul is it You that are great or is it the plant? Cultivation versus genetics if You get what I am trying to say. Maybe both are great :)
Have any attempts been made to use it in breeding or You do not want to have seeds on this so that it will not lose any energy? I think You said that the mega reginae do not have/allowed any seedpods since You do not want that.

Kind regards
Joakim

Hi Joakim

This plant is special because of its genetics. It's a superior clone. Other andrewsii's purchased at the same time perished. This one thrives.

Ron Burch and I have been using it as a pod producing plant. Over the past few years we have crossed it with several other cyps including montanum, macranthos alba, Aki, fasciolatum and some others. We are hoping the tall robust growing features get passed on.

I didn't cross it with anything this year but it might have a few pods from natural pollination.

Cultivation helps so I do keep it well fertilized with Miracle Gro granules and plenty of pelletized lime to keep the pH high.

But same with humans, it's all about your genetics!

P

You sure know how to grow them, you're the expert and I enjoy looking at your pictures.

Paul that is great that it is genetic since then more people will benefit from the greatness of this plant.
Sounds like You have interesting (and new) crosses coming. :) 8) Hopefully they will do as well as this plant

Kind regards
Joakim