cyps in pots 2013

[mark smyth]

I think I've killed my Cypripediums 

The once white noses are now very brown. I planted them in a very open mix. One nose has mould on it. The noses were partially hidden by grit. Theyve been lightly watered once since repotting.

What do you think?

[Peter Maguire]

Mark,
Covering them with grit shouldn't be the cause of the problem - all mine are covered in either grit or similar (currently trying clay granules as previously recommended on the forum). Watering them lightly shouldn't be a problem either. I wondered whether you had watered them and then had a frost almost immediately when there could have been some water held around the crowns on the grit surface. I always try to avoid watering if a major temperature drop is forecast for that night.

The one with the fungus spores looks decidedly sickly. 

[johnw]

Mark - Why are there Cyp roots above ground?

johnw - +4c

[mark smyth]

To show the noses for the photo

When I had the chance I should have planted them in the garden but ....

[angie]

To show the noses for the photo

When I had the chance I should have planted them in the garden but ....

Now you have got me worried, with all the rain that we have had I think I better check mine tomorrow.

Angie 

[mark smyth]

what colour should the noses be at this time of year?

[monocotman]

Mark - what hybrid/species are we looking at?
Cyp. reginae and Ulla Silkens tends to produce buds that sit overwinter with brown tips.
I have not come across others that do the same.
The fact that the buds sit so high in the ground would tend to suggest that they are not reginae or its hybrid.
If any of the buds are soft then they have rotted.
The one with fungal growth is almost definitely dead.
You could leave them all and cover with dry mulch, then protect them from further winter wet.
If some buds are rotting then this will continue over winter into the rhizomes and you could lose most or all of the plant.
The safest solution is to carefully dig up the whole plant, wash off all the soil, carefully inspect all the buds by peeling back the dark areas and cut of any areas that have rotted.
Treatment with a fungicide may then help but this is not something I've undertaken.
If there is an extensive area of rot then it may be safest to pot it up and try to re-establish the plant before planting out.
Regards,
David

[mark smyth]

David they are hybrids I think. I'll cover again with Sophistocat and place them in a rain shadow. All buds are hard.

[Neil]

Mark if there are in the ground, which it looks like, just cover them with a water impermeable covering, so that the rain does not get into the crown, like this photo from Svante Malmgren's site

http://www.lidaforsgarden.com/Orchids/Bilder_Cypripedium/Cyp%2079%20DSCN1437.JPG

Where he has put a roof tile over the crown

[Anthony Darby]

A good dose of fungicide needed? I always sprayed mine. The grit ensures air circulates round the buds.

[mark smyth]

Neil they are in terracotta pots that are plunged to half their height in a sand plunge

[Neil]

I would still put a cover over the top Mark

[Botanica]

Hello mark smyth.....and everybody ! 

Bad news for you cypri   !

I see root of cypri in the picture  ...this not good.. you must make a protection during winter season..no ?

So the buds have a fungi attack ...this is not a good new for flowering this Year 

I look at my cypri nursery this morning and good news for me ..it's green buds.

Those one are in "indoor "  so i hope the other in the garden (of Ardennes) are like that .



I hope that 2013 was a great season for cypripedium !

[mark smyth]

Looks like your Cyps are growing?

[Maren]

I agree with Neil, you could just pin some old plastic compost bags over them. The terracotta will ensure that they don't dry out.