Calypso Bulbosa

[theroc1217]

I was recently able to obtain two samples of this orchid from a grower on the northwest coast. I have them planted in a bark and needle mix, with live moss as topdressing. Does anyone here have experience with them?

[Aki_James]

I have grown these for years. They are wonderful. I'm assuming you are growing in a pot?..I think the key with this plant is getting the medium right...They like a very airy but damp under layer of some type of peat mixture, as they have very tender roots and like to just travel on top of the moistest and densest layer of mix.The second layer should be moist as well but less compact. I use a mixture of sphagnum and bark for this, you don't want this mixture to dense around the eye of the plant as the eye should be below the uppermost layer by about 1/2 an inch. I use pine needles and semi decayed deciduous leafs as the upper most layer to keep moisture locked in and keep the medium slightly on the acidic side. I have found this method works great for me, but may not work for others.

How will you be wintering it? I generally just bury mine in the ground with a inch or so of the pot lip above,in a sheltered location with a slight slope so it doesn't get flooded out. Not sure how that would work for your location. You could let it die down in the fall and put it in a fridge or garage for the winter, you just don't want it to dry out too much.

That's about all the advice I can give you I've had mine in a pot for about 7 years, as well as some patches around my property, but there maybe someone with more knowledge on its culture.
Good Luck !

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I thought Calypso bulbosa var occidentalis is a winter grower with a summer dormancy...

Every one I've ever tried followed that pattern.

I've had the best success with a mix of lots of bark, an acidic type of potting soil mix, and some pine needle cuttings. The mix has got to be well draining.

I think my problem is that the summers here are way too hot for this plant.

From what I've seen so far, it is not terribly difficult to get to flower.

[theroc1217]

I'm not sure if it's occidentalis or americanus. The seller said they're winter growers, and they're in leaf, so In assuming its not the variety mentioned above. I have it in bark and pine needles, with life moss for the top dressing.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It is actually very easy to tell the difference between var occidentalis from var americanus. You can tell from the markings alone. The americanus variant has less patterning.

"theroc1217", I think you have Calypso bulbosa var. occidentals, particularly if you have the west coast variety.

I think the only requirement for a potting mix is:

1. It's gotta be organic.

2. It's gotta be acidic.

3. It's gotta be airy/well drained.

That's it. I've seen a pic of them where they were growing on a roof top covered in leaf litter.

[theroc1217]

That would be where I got it. Any tips?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Please re-read previous post, I added some stuff.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Oh, and I think they like it cold to intermediate. I wouldn't go warmer than 80 F at any given time of the year. Maybe 85 F tops.

[theroc1217]

Thanks. I'm jus worried about temperatures this time of year.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't know how cold it gets where you live.

If you're concerned about snow, I am not sure if the orchid can withstand snow. Maybe "Aki_James" can say, idk. It seems like he'd be the more likely candidate to live in a place that actually snows between the 2 of us.

It doesn't really snow here. There is the rare instance of frost, but not snow. So, really, the lowest it gets here where I live temperature-wise is around 32 F - 36 F, no cooler.

Given this, you now know that it definitely can tolerate temperatures of 32 F - 36 F just fine. Like I said, it likes it fairly cold.