Hi

I am new to Cypripediums and am keen to try growing them. I currently live in Bangkok, but am moving back to Melbourne in Australia. I am seeking to flask some plants to take back and those suitable for the climate in Melbourne. The average summer days are 25c (hot days are not often and followed by cool temps - rarely up to 40c). Winter at night is about 0c or the low minus temps with some frosts.

I have found seeds of these species available at SEEDS-BY-SIZE ORCHID SEEDS in the UK and am trying to work out if any are ok for my conditions. I was looking at outdoor growing, but if too hot, indoor in a cooled environment under T5 lighting/halide - Cypripedium calceolus, flavum, parviflorum, and reginae. They have guttatum, but I think Melb is too hot for this one for sure.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Brett

Hi Brett welcome to the slipper orchid forum! Glad you joined us! Cypripediums do not thrive in hot tropical climates but I think there are growers who do grow them indoors in more controlled cooler conditions.

:hi::welcomesof:

Hi welcome to the site!!

Thanks for the welcome everyone

Are there any Cyps that are more heat tolerant and to what temps? I thought to give them a go as Melbourne doesnt get too many hot days..78F is the summer average there. Otherwise I would try them indoors. There are growers there growing Masdevallias and Odontoglossums quite well.

Brett

Welcome to the forum! Cyps will require freezing temperature to go dormant and Masdies don't so you would have to artificially provide those conditions for Cyps like placing them in a refrigerator for a few months.

Probably heat is my biggest worry. I just found some info in Reginae, saying it can take up to 90F. That would be a safe temperature in Melbourne as most summer days are not that hot. I think the way to go may be to try it in pots and see how it reacts. If the heat is too much, take it indoors. Putting the plants in cold storage to set the flowers is easy enough to do. I have done that with Pleiones.

I guess the next steps will be seeing if I can get them flasked here in Bangkok before I go back to Australia. I keep my flasks in an airconditioned room currently.

Many thanks

Brett

Give it a try. Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

Good luck with your project!

Hi there welcome.

It might be best to grow them in the winter months, and then put them in the fridge for the warmer summer months, since cyps definitely do not thrive in such hot conditions.

It might be best to grow them in the winter months, and then put them in the fridge for the warmer summer months, since cyps definitely do not thrive in such hot conditions.

Thanks Nick

I will think about trying that. I have a few ideas so far. I will see how I go raising seed and then go from there I guess. I appreciate the advice

Brett

Howdy...welcome to the slipper orchid forum!

Welcome to a great forum!