Hi every one . could i ask for any help ? i am trying to grow my first cypripedium ulla silkens this is my first time . i have looked up different compost mixes and have had great difficulties in finding some of the ingreediants is there a simple mix i can start with i have obtained some clay granules and perlite but not found any composted bark made from pine ,i do have difficulty geting about so this does not help.i am going to grow my first attempt in a pot will this be ok thanks john:confused:

Hi John welcome to the slipper orchid forum! I don't grow any Cyps but you might find this helpful.http://www.slipperorchidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13023

:hi::welcomesof:

Welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the site, John! :welcome:

Welcome John!!

Hi...welcome to the forum!

Hi John welcome to the slipper orchid forum! I don't grow any Cyps but you might find this helpful.http://www.slipperorchidforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13023

thanks for your reply , it looks like i will be hooked on these plants and as my whife says every outher plant , don't know what she means the whife thinks i have a problem . its a good one !!! ::woohoo:

The link above mentions an inorganic mix which is what I use also, about 75% of the fired clay granuals and 25% perlite.. I use clay pots and keep the bottoms in a tray of rainwater. The clay granuals wick the water up but maintain air space. Organic materials compact and as they break down fill the spaces reducing air capacity. The clay pots also wick up moisture and provide some cooling for the root zone by evaporation. I put the whole pot into a closed plastic bag in the refridgerator after the leaves have turned brown (remove them so they don't mold) November, taking them out in April (or if they break dormancy).

The link above mentions an inorganic mix which is what I use also, about 75% of the fired clay granuals and 25% perlite.. I use clay pots and keep the bottoms in a tray of rainwater. The clay granuals wick the water up but maintain air space. Organic materials compact and as they break down fill the spaces reducing air capacity. The clay pots also wick up moisture and provide some cooling for the root zone by evaporation. I put the whole pot into a closed plastic bag in the refridgerator after the leaves have turned brown (remove them so they don't mold) November, taking them out in April (or if they break dormancy).

How large are the clay granules that you use, John?

JOHN THANKS for your help .i have got a material called HYDROLECA could not find anything else i would say they are about 1cm or a little smaller in size i have potted my orchid up allready! just incase it dried out .I could not find any composted bark any where so i bought a ready made ORCHID mix and mixed plenty of perlite to it ,i put a layer of HYDROLICA in the bottom of the pot to a depth of about 8 cm hope that was ok. should i have soaked these first ?

Royal
The ceramic material is 2-4 mm in size. There are a couple of names, turface is used on sports fields, seramis, soil perfector are other similar products. Try landscape supply companies. The perlite is 3-5 mm.

John
Water enough to keep the roots from drying out and you should be fine, fertilize weakly.

Hi JOHN , Thanks for your help i think i must need new glasses! i will have a look on the internet to see what i can find .I have real problems getting round as i have M.S.so i have to rely on other people to help out!! if i have success growing these lovely plants i will try some outher types of slipper orchids .Sorry if my spelling is bad sure
you will understand . When i get the hang of useing this forum i will post some pictures of my other plants . TAKE CARE

John Boy
The creator of Ulla Silkens claims it grows well in may substrates and as long as one give some protection from winter wet I think that is very true. It is important to be well drained and if very well drained one need to water often. It depends very much on Your local conditions and Svante Malmgren grows it in the garden in well drained "garden soil" with winter protection. So if it grows very well for You in the pot Yu can later make a division and put the division in the ground if You have that. It is often winter wet that kills the plant and if You do not cover the plants in the winter You might need an even better drainage than well drained "garden soil". I have mine in a well drained mix that is high in organics but I cover in winter.
There are many options and You might have to play around with the mix or watering and sun/shade to get the plant to grow optimum just like any other plant it need a bit of fine tuning :)
Hope the plant will bring You lots of Joy.
Kind regards
Joakim

joakim, thanks for your reply sorry don't remember if i have allready sent you a reply {old age } ?? will take your advice sounds good to me TAKE CARE JOHN