The petals have continued to grow longer. I hoped that they would.
Cypripediums are definitely worth growing outdoors if you are a gardener in a temperate climate. So far they are growing well outside for me. It will require additions to the garden soil for drainage, such as sand, gravel and perlite. Just make sure you are buying from a reputable dealer rather than wild harvested ones. Some wild harvested plants may not do so well after transplant (maybe carefully they will, but why worth the risk). Planting should be done in the best during the fall, or in early spring before the plants leaf out. Garden centers may sell plants in bloom, but plant these carefully without disturbing the roots too much at this stage.
This one is my attempt indoors, though it will still require a winter dormancy, just like the outdoor plants. I have it growing in a clay pot, for air exchange and a cooling effect. Their roots should not be exposed to temperatures above 30 degrees celcius, so clay pots should help cool the roots as the water evaporates. The medium is probably roughly 30% organic and 70% inorganic matter. Its a mix of sand, perlite, hydroton clay balls (S/H), old potting soil, old orchid bark. Just like other orchids they should not be over watered, though they cypripediums should not dry out too much. In pots people use less organic matter since decomposing organics will change the pH, and I try to use already composed organic materials. And similar to epiphytes, terrestrial orchids require a light, airy mix.
In a few months my outdoors plants will bloom, we are a month behind most of USA in Canada.
Cypripedium Emil
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