Orchids - Lady's Slippers

Plant family

Orchid family (Orchidaceae)

Cultivation Break

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Semi-shaded

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Light germinator

Plant distance

30 cm

Row spacing

30 cm

Seeding depth

2 cm

Instructions

Description

The genus lady's slipper (bot. Cypripedium) comprises herbaceous, perennial plants. Cypripedium belongs to the subfamily Cypripedioodeae in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). According to the botanical classification, the family belongs to the class of angiosperms (Magnoliopsida) and in the suborder of monocotyledonous plants (Monocotyledons). According to the narrower definition, the family belongs to the order Asparagales. For a long time, all lady's slipper species were grouped together in the genus Cypripedium. According to new definitions, the subfamily Cypripedioideae contains around 120 species and is divided into five subgenera: Cypripedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, Mexipedium and Selenipedium. Cypripedium mainly includes lady's slipper orchids from the northern hemisphere. They are divided into two subgenera: Cypripedium subgen. Cypripedium and Cypripedium subgen. Irapeana Eccarius. For a more precise classification of the plant species, both subgenera are divided into sections. Eleven species and four subspecies are listed in the subgenus Cypripedium section Cypripedium. The yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus) has all the essential characteristics of this category. It is the type species for classifying the lady's slipper species. This classification of the genus lady's slipper follows the new systematics published by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group in 2009. Leaf Cypripedium has deciduous leaves. They are predominantly pointed. Some species have lanceolate, oval or fan-shaped leaves. In most species they are uniformly green. Some have reddish-brown spotted leaves. The leaves are usually between five and thirteen centimeters long. All have slight, fine hairs on the back. Some species have glandular hairs. The leaf margins are entire and sometimes ciliate. Almost all species have pores (stomata) on the upper and lower sides. The parallel veins are strong. The leaves clasp the stem. The stiffening by longitudinal folds is striking. This directs rainwater to the stem and the roots. The stem has several lower leaves. They are located at the base of the plant. Flower Cypripedium has hermaphrodite and zygomorphic flowers. Only certain insects find access to the flower. The perianth is not divided into calyx and corolla. The flower consists of lateral inner petals that are ciliated. It has four outer perigone petals, often five centimeters long. The shape of the perigone leaves is lanceolate and pointed. The color varies. Sometimes it is purple or chocolate brown. The petals stand out and surround the very large lip (labellum). It arises from an upper, inner perigone leaf, which is puffed out and forms the shoe. The shoe is between four and eight centimeters long, sometimes yellow. The flower has a stalk. This bends and turns 180° when the flower opens. This rotation causes the lip to protrude downwards and form the characteristic shoe. The plants belong to the tinker's trap flowers. Pollinators are powerful small insects. They fall into the cauldron through a hole at the base of the labellum. The plant has a kind of guidance system that directs the insects into the open. Guided by light windows, the path leads to two hair stairs on the back wall of the slipper. The insects have to pass the stigma and the two stamens on this path. This construction prevents the plant from self-pollinating. The pollen of this orchid genus is powdery and consists of individual pollen grains. Insects do not find any food in the lady's slipper flowers. This type of flower is known as a decoy flower. Fruit The ovary is single-chambered. The plant forms triangular capsule fruits. They contain up to one million dust-fine seeds. A distended and air-filled shell increases the ability to float. They are transported by the wind. The seeds have no endosperm around the embryo. The seedling is dependent on the help of certain fungi. Growth Cypripediums are orchids that grow in soil. The seed lives for several years in symbiosis (community) with a root fungus. The decomposition of the protein-containing fungi provides the seedling with the necessary nutrients. This is how the plant bridges the very long development period, which is between four and fourteen years. Only then does the first green leaf appear. From this point onwards, the orchid, like other plants, feeds itself through photosynthesis. Cypripedium is between fifteen and sixty centimetres tall. It forms a hairy and leafy stem. There is usually one flower, sometimes up to four flowers, on the stem. The stem arises from a short rhizome. Habitat Cypripedium is predominantly frost hardy. The orchids require loose, nutrient-rich, slightly moist and humus-rich soil. It may be slightly acidic. The soil in sparse beech forests, with herbaceous growth and flowering plants in spring, is a model. Some species tolerate slight amounts of lime. Light is important. Direct sunlight damages the plant. The species native to Europe generally lose their stems and leaves in the fall. They sprout new shoots from the rhizomes in spring. The surface of the soil must not be compacted and there must be space between the plant and other plants. The orchid cannot withstand the root pressure of shrubs and assertive perennials or heavy shading. Varieties of Cypripdium thrive in the vicinity of ferns or Solomon's seal, in the light shade of tall deciduous trees. Distribution The genus is represented by a few species in Europe. In Germany, the yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus L.) forms small wild populations. America is home to several species that occur in the temperate zone. Cypripedium kentuckiense grows exclusively in the USA. The small-flowered lady's slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum) has developed in the USA and Canada. Cypripedium parviflorum var. exiliens Sheviak is specialized for the conditions in Alaska. In East Asia, Cypripedium ludlowii has developed in Tibet, Cypripedium franchetii in central China and Cypripedium shanxiense on Sakhalin Island and in northern Japan. Almost all species are high up on the Red List of endangered plants. The European Union's Flora-Fauna-Habitat Directive (FFH) requires the Cypripedium species to be specially protected as priority species. The main reason for the decline is the removal of wild plants from the forests. The plant is dying out in very dense forests. Utilization Many varieties have been bred as ornamental plants. In Central Europe, varieties of the yellow lady's slipper are suitable for gardens. Cypripedium is available as a pot plant for bright, cool rooms.

Growing tips

Location Partial shade preferred; morning or evening sun is ideal, avoid direct midday sun. Soil: Fresh, humusy, slightly acidic, well-drained. Bog beds or damp garden areas are particularly suitable. Climate range: Summer not above 33 °C, winter at least 2-3 months below +5 °C. Planting Time: Spring or fall. Depth: Plant rhizomes shallowly, loosen soil well. Companion plants: Ferns, woodland perennials or other shade plants are ideal partners. Care Watering: Keep evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. Ensure sufficient moisture, especially in summer. Fertilizing: Only sparingly, as they prefer nutrient-poor soil. Winter protection: Generally not necessary, as hardy down to -25 °C. Protection from late frosts in spring (e.g. with fleece or bucket over the shoots). Special features Flowering time: May to June, large shoe-shaped flowers in pink, white, yellow or purple. Life span: Perennial, forms strong clumps over time. Propagation: Division of the rhizomes in fall or spring. Special protection: Wild species such as Cypripedium calceolus are strictly protected and may not be taken from the wild.