Well, my C. x ventricosum alba is in for the winter. It was fully dormant today, and since the fall weather can linger warmer than Cyps like, I put them down come mid September or early October. Here is the whole plant:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/tvelardi/ventricosum2006WHPLSM.jpg

And a close up of the growth buds for next year. If you look closely, you can see two types of buds here: large ones that will grow next year (3 in all) and small ones that will form next year’s buds (4 of these):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/tvelardi/ventricosum2006SM.jpg

Here’s how it looked last year:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/tvelardi/CVentricosum2005PL.jpg

And it in flower:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v164/tvelardi/CVentri.jpg

Unfortunately it didn’t flower this year due to poor storage. The buds are just about blooming size, but they could go either way; flowers or no flowers. Well, at least the plant grew new roots and remains relatively healthy. I’ll keep trying to grow these beauties in this too hot climate!

Tom

Very pretty flower (reminds me of a Phrag flower) and the plants look so nice and healthy. :cool:

Very pretty bloom, so white and virginal. :innocent:

so pretty flower an plant.ty

Really gorgeous! I hope it blooms well for you next time.

Tom,

Thanks for the lesson and the gorgeous photo!

Awesome plants and pics...thnx

What a beautiful Cyp :cool:

so pretty flower how to grow and plant it ?

Hey everybody,

Yes, it is a lovely plant. I hope I can keep it going in the years to come.

Oscar, how to grow this plant...well, it isn't easy where I live and it would be impossible in your area. This plant needs cool summers and long cold winters.

I put mine in clay pots with something like coir and pumice. I have a fan on the plants all summer long. On really hot days (August) I even put ice in their pots! In fall I put them in the refrigerator. So far I am keeping some alive year to year, but they aren't really happy here. Hopefully next year my growing technique will get even better.

Tom