Re-potting Cypripediums

[angie]

Do you think I am to late to repot some Cypripediums. I finally managed to get my hands on some good pumice at long last 

Angie 

[SteveC2]

No problem whatsoever!  And there is no great hurry.  I'd happily repot for the next couple on months.

[Peter Maguire]

I normally repot mine anytime up until the shoots start to appear above the top dressing, say until about early March.

[Anthony Darby]

When I repotted I washed all the medium off the roots in a bucket, and used a hose to clean the plant, before replacing the compost with fresh.

[Peter Maguire]

That's just one of the advantages of using pumice - tip the plant out, a quick shake, and it's ready for repotting. 

[glynnffc]

Can I ask where you found it, and will you be adding other things
Glynn

[shelagh]

That was going to be my question too.

[angie]

That's just one of the advantages of using pumice - tip the plant out, a quick shake, and it's ready for repotting. 

I like the sound of that Peter. Thanks folks I will pot some in the pumice and see how it goes. I still can't get my head around how something can grow in material like this but after seeing Davids wonderful plants that he has growing in coarse perlite I want to give it a try. The chicken in me will leave some in the old material. I thought about mixing with cat litter but not sure.

I got the pumice from Viresco(UK) ltd,I spoke to a man called John a really lovely man, so helpful. I got 3-5mm, it's not cheap but the way I am feeling who cares.

Angie 

[angie]

Just thought my last sentence maybe sounded a bit weird saying that the pumice isn't cheap but the way I am feeling who cares. Its just that last year was a terrible year and 2014 has started horrible again. My only niece has breast cancer, she is like a daughter to me and very special. We lost her mum my sister to cancer and I just think it is so unfair that she has cancer now. Sometimes I hate life.

Angie

[Maggi Young]

You'd wonder how life can throw so much misery at you sometimes  wouldn't you?  But there is always hope, Angela, look at how well our wee  great niece Christina is doing. 
 My dear friend Linda has just been diagnosed with cancer as well  - her  daughter has  already had cancer, her husband has two forms of cancer - you can't believe so much bad can happen to one family.
All we can do is give support when we can and keep strong for our loved ones.
Keep your chin up and enjoy your plants.

[Peter Maguire]

Good to know that Viresco are stocking pumice again - that's where I obtained mine from a few years ago. I've been recycling the pumice after repotting to use again as it seemed to unobtainable for a while.

In answer to Glynn and Shelagh's question about additional materials, I'm now trying to follow David's approach and use pure inorganic medium, but I'm using pumice, not perlite and adding about 5% leaf mould when I repot. Old habits die hard!

Angie, it sounds like 2014 can only get better for you, here's hoping you get some good news soon.

[angie]

Peter it's really good quality pumice, he was really pleased with it. I was finding it impossible to find it then I got an email from a member of the SABG. I ordered quite a lot so I hope I have success with it. I can't wait till they all start growing again.

Peter you a right it can only get better and Maggi hope is what I have and I do believe she will beat this.

Will be busy potting up my plants tomorrow. No leaf mould though, mine isn't ready yet.

Angie 

[annew]

Life seems to pick on some families - I hope all turns out well, Angie.
Is it OK to split cyps now as well? If not what's the best time?

[Peter Maguire]

Can't help you there Anne, none of mine are big enough to need splitting yet.

I would guess that just before starting growth might be best, as both divisions would grow away over the new season, but it's only a guess. And if it goes wrong and the plant dies, you heard it somewhere else.....

[monocotman]

Anne,
you can split cyps anytime over winter whilst they are dormant.
We've touched on this subject in previous threads if you do a search.
My view is that it is not easy, you must be determined and you must expect losses!
I haven't split a cyp for four years and have no plans to do it again.
Regards,
David