I just lerned to use photobucket so I thought I could post pics of seedlings I took earlier.
Unfortunally they are not exactly the same age nor is the pics of the most "representive type" but to illustrate some difference between hybrids and species.
Here is the pict of reginae that has been one year in soil. Generally they have long roots and maybe not so many per plant. From Phytesia
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/JoakimB/P1010012b.jpg

and here is the the Gisela generally shorter roots but with more of them per plant. Age unknown from Frosch. The buds where slightly more developped since they got warm at the post office.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/JoakimB/P1010028b.jpg

Here You can also see how I have planted them. I usually uses squared pots to get as many as possible in the thermo box.
Now the temperature is 2-4C on the balcony.

Compare these with the 3.5 year old (2.5in soil) Ulla Silkens that was postied earlier.
It is the same matchbox. 5X2 cm (2X1 inch).

If you disagree on how I thougt the difference in roots between the different seedlings was please say so. Please do not base it on my pics since they are not "typical". I had to take the ones that were not too fuzzy and unsharp rather than the "Type"
Enjoy
Joakim

I would really like to get into cyps. I could grow them outside year round here I imagine.

Your seedlings look fine. My only question is what you are potting them in. It looks like you're using a lot of organic material in the media.

Your seedlings look very healthy, Joakim. Cyp reginae seedlings do have very long roots, and usually three per plant the first year. If left in flask until the meristems turn from bright green to light brown, roots can be 10 cm in length. During their first year in pots, the roots may easily reach 20 cm if there is room. In this species, unlike other Cyps, if the roots feel cramped they will grow up over the edge of the pot. During that first year in pot, the number of roots will also increase. Mature reginae may have 100 cm roots or longer and dozens of them! Gisela is a much smaller plant when mature and has much shorter roots. My mature plants, even those with many buds, usually have roots no longer than 20 -25 cm.

It appears that you are using a "Malmgren-like" medium. Be very careful about watering as seedlings are highly susceptible to rot and make sure the crowns are just at the surface of the medium. Many people do not use organic material until the plants are three seasons out of flask.

Good luck!

Ron Burch

Thanks for the comments.
Yes I am using a high organic compost but I plan to change this to a more inorganic compost when they will be set free.
I am trying to have as little water with them as possible. I have not watered them after planting and I need to have them on the drier side due to the high organic compost. The Boxes will have high humidity since there is some water in the bottom in the styro foam layer that the containers are placed ontop. The containers are not standing in any water and I have an extra layer of styro foam in the bottom of all container to ensure good drainage. I tried not to have any soil on the buds. I put bark from pine ontop or styrofoam. The answer if I was carefull enough will come at spring.
Now we do not have below zero Celsius (freezing point) so I will check the wetness. Opening the boxes will help drying if that is needed.

Tadd Regarding growing in NC I would say if they are in the nature around that is proof you can. If they are not You might still. Winter needs to be atleast almost freezing and summer not too warm. Body heat is too warm preferably maybe only two thirds between freezing and body heat as the maximum temperatures. The winter can be faked, with the summer it is harder.
I think that has been covered in earlier postings with much more detailed and with suggestions on where to get plants.
Good luck in your attempts. Knowing how to do will minimizing the amount of luck needed :)

Kind regards
Joakim Balogh

Thanks for the headsup, I plan on reading up all winter.