Does anyone remember seeing an article about a man I believe in Japan who planted a certain cyp. in his yard but never let them flower for over 20 years then he notified the local news and before he died let them all bloom it was like an ocean of blooms so tight together that's all you can see. I don't remember where I saw the article but should have saved it. If anyone can help .
Thanks Ray

Yes! Picture of 30,000 Cyp japonicum grown over 27 years in Tokyo. May 2001 issue of 'The Orchid Review'. Also can be seen at www.cypripedium.de/forum "Photos of extraordinary plants (10 b): 30,000 C. japonicum". What a picture!!



Greg.

WOW!!!

Jon

Thanks for posting this info, Ray!

Thanks Greg much appreciated. Can't get over one mans dedication

Ray

No doubt Ikeda-san's efforts were extraordinary to produce this unlikely scene. This species spreads by long rhizomes that can grow over 10cm in a season between growths. Due to this habit, they can form large patches if happy. This clump consists of many hundreds of plants of course.

A less happy post-remark is that these plants are no longer together. Word has it that after his death the plants were dug up and sold off. Furthermore, almost all C. japonicum sold in Japan are wild collected, and strangely enough many are imported from China! Success in the garden is spotty with this one, and no doubt more end up dead then looking like the glorious patch that Ikeda-san lovingly created. Thankfully there is hope since many Cyps have been successfully micropropagated in vitro, and then planted out.

Tom