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CODE: Temperature-Lights-Water-Potting Media-Size-Comments
CYPRIPEDIUM
Cypripediums or lady slippers orchids are temperate orchids and have adapted to temperate climates by becoming deciduous and dormant during times of inhospitable weather. Most species require several months at near-freezing temperature to become "vernalized," i.e., brought to the condition they are normally in at springtime, so that they can produce leaves. If your climate does not offer several months of temperatures near- or below-freezing, your plants should be given artificial refrigeration. Cypripediums are slow growing plants and it is common to have a plant bloom in 5 to 7 years from seedlings.
CULTIVATION.
The Ideal Site
These plants do best in a place that remains cool throughout the day but also one that has morning sun or high dappled shade. Plants grown with ample sunlight are more apt to multiply faster and will have a greater bloom count than those with less sun are. The more "cool sun" the better, just make sure the soil temp does not warm too much. Balance the need for lower soil temps with the need for sun and you will be on your way to enjoying these plants for many years.
Soil/Moisture Needs
A common requirement for all Cypripediums is the absolute need for a well drained but water retentive soil. Amend poorly drained clay soils with gravel, sand and organic matter. Many experienced growers recommend the black sedge peat as the organic additive of choice. The use of raised beds is also recommended as it assures that the plants root system does not sit in soggy soil for any length of time. The Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum pubescens) is perhaps the most tolerant of non moist soils, but it is safe to say that if the soil is kept moist through the month of July your slippers should be quite content.
Feeding
This group of plants can be fed with dilute solution of a standard 10-10-10 fertilizer. A one tenth strength solution can be applied every 3 weeks through July.
Mulching
A light mulching will be beneficial in helping retain moisture that ultimately cools the soil. No more than an inch of mulch should be used around the plant's stem, as they may be prone to fungal attack. This is especially important in hot humid weather. A light mulching for winter will attract fewer rodents that are capable of doing damage.
Planting
The crowns of the plant should be covered with an inch of soil. The roots of the plant should be carefully laid so that root ends do not lay in an upward direction. Be careful of squirrel activity as they may tug the plant out of the soil. Keep moist but not wet.
PROPAGATION
Divide carefully in early or midspring, and replant immediately. Some of the soil from the root ball which contains beneficial fungal mycorrhizae should be planted with each division.
Note: All Cypripediums are sold out . All Cypripediums are discontinued hereafter.
| Asian Species | Description / Comment | |
 |
flavum | similar to reginae in growth habit - Limited Quantity |
 |
franchetii | |
 |
henryi | greenish multiflora-Limited Qty |
 |
japonicum | fan shaped leaves Limited Qty |
 |
margaritaceum |
spotted leaves & flowers similar to lichiangense
|
| sp | Sechuan alba |
|
 |
sp | Sechuan Pink |
 |
sp. |
Highland Red
|
References:
|---Species---| ---Uniflora Hybrids---|---Multiflora Hybrids---|---Pots---| --Flasks--|
With their habitats ever diminishing and their popularity increasing, these plants have been becoming a much sought-after commodity. We compiled one of the more comprehensive (and reasonably priced!) offerings of these stunning and popular orchids. Click on the small pictures if you like a detailed rendition. By the way, lady slippers from the old world are called Paphiopedilum.
spicerianum ((Candor HCC/AOS x self) x (Anna x self))- flowers that look
like a nun's hat - white w/ black or red line. Expect larger symmetrical flowers.
I-SH-M-2 1/2" pot-sdlg, BS @$25
lowii A multiflora Borneo species
A lowii plant that we exhibited at the Maryland Orchid Show just recently in
April '97 won best specimen by the MOS and was also awarded HCC by the AOS.
2"~3" LS@$10, 3"~4" LS@$15, 5"~6"@$20
Paph. purpuratum -
endemic to Hongkong - reddish flower.
I-SH-M-2 1/2" pot- blooming size @$25
Paph. spicerianum - flower that looks like a nuns hat.
I-SH-M-3 1/2" pot- BS $25
.
sukhakulii Called "The Dragonfly" in its native Thailand.
Broad bladelike petals are green, heavily spotted in black. The dorsal is white,
striped green. Pouch is chestnut, heavily brushed dark red. One of the most
useful of the species for hybridizing. Very vigorous, especially in very low
light. Small plant size and indistinct marbling in the foliage are signs of
too much light.
I-SH-D-4" pot-BS , LS 7~12" division @ $25
The Uniflora Papiopedilum hybrids have always been among the most popular of all orchids. Color range from the very dark color that almost border on black to pure white to yellow and pink. As any other Paphiopedilum, most of them perform best when underpotted and never allowed to dry out completely. Usually, each growth would produce a single solitary flower on one spike. The very healthy plant would usually produce two flowers per growth.
The Multiflora Paphiopedilum hybrids have always been among the most popular and showy of all orchids. They get a number of blooms per stem, and most of them have very large flowers.Most of them perform best if potted a little on the tight side but never allowed to dry out completely. At maturity, they will give the best blooms if grown in about the same light as a cattleya. They also perform best when allowed to grow into large plants, so resist the urge to divide them! Many of these will take some time to reach blooming size, but in our estimation, they are well worth it!
Mount Toro (stonei x
philippinensis) 'Green Valley' x rothschildianum 'Green Valley'
I-SH-M-2-1/2"pot 3"LS @$20
Michael Koopowitz (philippinense
'F92' x sanderianum 'Dragon Dance')- Looks just like a sanderianum with
the long petals.
I-SH-M-2-1/2"pot 2"LS @$30; 3" LS @$50
Gloria Naugle ( micranthum
x malipoense ) - .
I-SH-M-2-1/2"pot 2"LS @$30
Angel Hair ( St.
Swithin x sanderianum ) - Looks just like a sanderianum with the long petals.
I-SH-M-2-1/2"pot 2"LS @$30; 3"LS @$50
Berenice ( philippinense 'Cayuga' x lowii 'Nova' AM/AOS )
I-SH-M-2-1/2"pot 4"~6" LS @$40~$60
Saint Swithin (rothschildianum x philippinense) The finest
of all paph. hybrids. Large blooms, 3-5 per stem. Dorsal sepal white, striped
in chestnut. Petals very long and flat; gold, spotted in chestnut. Pouches honey-tan.
Always an imposing sight when in bloom. Very reliable bloomers and strong growers.
I-SH-M- BS , LS 14~18" LS @ $75
Lady Isabel (stonei x rothschildianum)A classic hybrid.
3-5 large showy blooms. Very vigorous and free-blooming. Brown striped in mahogany.
heavily spotted in black. Pouch bright mahogany. An outstanding hybrid overall
I-SH-M- BS @ $75
( sanderianum x sukhakulii ) .
I/W-SH-M- BS @ $100
Delrosi (delenatii 'The King'x rothschildianum 'Eureka' AM/AOS)
When these bloom, they can be among the most outstanding of orchids. Fanciful
deep pink to red blooms of fine form; often with 3-4 blooms per stem. In order
to bloom regularly, these should never be allowed to dry out completely, and
should be left as specimens rather than divided.
I-SH-M-2 1/2" pots - 4~6" LS @ $25, 7"~8"LS @ $35
Lady Slippers from the Central and South Americas are called Phragmipedium . Similar to Paphiopedilum except its leaves are more grasslike with larger, more linear-lanceolate leaves held nearly erect.. Generally, they prefer damp to wet acid substrate and acidic water, at a pH as low as 5-6 with higher level of nutrients and they prefer a slightly medium to high ligh intensity to promote flowering . Phragmipedium will do well when the plants are repotted every 6 months / yearly .
pearcei Miniature Grasslike leaves . Prefers to be in wet mix. From
Ecuador
Division BS @ $40 Limited Qty
.
sargentianum NBS @ $28 Likes to be wet all the time
Phragmipedium Hybrids
Grande 4N 'Gigantea' X
wallisii .
NBS @$50
Giganteum (Grande 4N 'Gigantea'
X caudatum sanderae)
NBS @$60
China Dragon (besseae x
Grande 4N 'Gigantea') - Imagine a red flower as influenced by the besseae coupled
with long petals as an influence by the Grande.
BS @ $60
POTS
Your Paph collection won't be complete without using the proper pot to contain your plant. As mentioned before, Paphiopedilum likes to be underpotted, develop long roots and have the potting mix dry out evenly. These are some of the pots available from 2-1/2 square 3" tall, 3-1/2" square 5" tall, 5" dia. 7" tall, 5-1/2" dia 7-1/4" tall, 6" wide 8" tall, 6-1/2" dia. 9" tall with price ranging from $1.50 to $18. Please click on picture for more details
.
References:
Paphiopedilum - A monograph of all tropical and subtropical Asiatic slipper
orchids - by Dr. Guido J. Braem
Hildesheim: Brucke-Verl. Schmersow, 1988 ISBN 3-87105-021-0
The Paphiopedilum Grower's Manual by Lance A. Birk
Published by PISANG PRESS, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 October 26 1983 , ISBN 0-9612826-0-6
The Slipper Orchids - observation of the four genera of the family - Cypripedium, Paphiopedilum, Selenipedium
and Phragmipedium by Dr. Catherine Cash
Timer Press, Inc. ISBN 0-88192-183-1
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