Phragmipedium Eucagenera's Dream

[swamprad]

I'd love to take it and others for judging. Only problem is that I live in a northwestern suburb of the Minneapolis area. Most of my phrags are at their peak blooming in the dead of winter. The cold weather would make it challenging to get it somewhere for judging. For instance starting today we are supposed to have temps that won't get above zero for four straight days. In addition the closest city that I could take it to that has a regular judging event is Chicago, a five plus hour drive away. I'm not sure that I would be able to get it to a judging without it, or me, suffering some form of frostbite.

There’s a show with AOS judging next weekend in St. Paul.https://www.aos.org/community-events/calendar/78-1746230400-1746230400

 

[swamprad]

Thank you for the info on pH!

 

[dmcmkl]

There’s a show with AOS judging next weekend in St. Paul.https://www.aos.org/community-events/calendar/78-1746230400-1746230400

That's right! It's the St Paul Winter Carnival Orchid Show! I'll have to look into how that works.
Thanks!

 

[e-spice]

Very impressive!

 

[sergeharvey]

Phragmipedium Eucagenera's Dream (sedenii x kovachii) which I purchased from Eucagenera in April of 2021. First time I've gotten it to bloom. It is an absolute beast!
View attachment 52012

Here's a picture of mine, it shows some variation to yours and also, the flower was just huge (should have measured it). Presently, it has 5 new growths - it would be nice if they all flowered at the same time

 

[dmcmkl]

I've decided to take it to the show on Saturday for judging. This, of course, has me stressing out that it will keep all six flowers that are currently open. There is a seventh one that will probably be open by then as well. I'm worried about the effect that transporting it this time of year in Minnesota with the cold air. Guess there's not much that can be done about that though it is winter here after all. Temps at night towards the end of the week are supposed to be around 10 with highs during the day in the low 20's.

I'm planning on warming up my 2000 Explorer as warm as I can get it, backing it back into the garage and placing it into the back seat on the floor. I might have a friend come with me to sit next to it to keep it from bouncing around on the trip. Hopefully it won't take offense to any time it might be exposed to the cold air when moving it into the Como Park conservatory where the show is being held.

Any suggestions about how to further protect it from the cold are appreciated. I've never taken a plant to a show for judging so this will cetainly be a learning experience. Darn thing just couldn't bloom during the summer, could it!

 

[NYEric]

Yay be... No way!! Well grown and bloomed. I guess I will have to get one.

 

[Morja]

I've seen people throw a trash bag over the plant for the quick trip between the car and the door at the show facility. I'm by no means an expert though!

 

[BrucherT]

get the large, very diaphanous/light commercial garbage bags. Rig up scaffolding to hold the surface of the bag OFF all flowers. Double/bag so there’s an air layer in between.

 

[dmcmkl]

Ordered some from Amazon today. It will be quite the challenge to protect them, that beast is 3 feet tall from bottom of pot to top of the spike!

I checked Awards for this plant on the AOS OrchidPro page. There have been only 6 awards, 2 AOS and 4 HCC. All were single spike/single flower plants. I have 7 flowers (another opened this morning) on two spikes. Dare I dream about an FCC?

 

[NYEric]

Go for it. Get help moving it, when you get to the judging.

 

[dmcmkl]

This is what I came up with for a frame for the clear garbage bags that I ordered.

 

[clearsky57]

Works for me
You only need to protect for the brief trip to your car...
I take plants from my greenhouse to the house all the time (when they are in flower an i want to enjoy them more, instead of having to go to the greenhouse)
nest the pot in a cardboard box, and twist newspaper into a doughnut around the pot inside the box,,, that will keep it secure and less likely to be "tippy" in the car... if you need to nest the first box inside a larger one just to maintain the integrity of the very tall plant..
that way you can tape (if needed) the bag to the box...
you might want to take a small amount of newspaper make it into a ball and tape that to the two top stakes so they just dont poke through your bag.

 

[Roots]

I just have to say that plant is beautiful! Wishing you smooth transportation and good fortune on Sat.

 

[clearsky57]

oh one last thing. I occaisonally use dry cleaning bags, they are very lightweight, and are clear, so you can repurpose them for this action too..