Many of us are familiar with the charming lady’s-slipper orchids. These flowers live in the damp, marshy forests of our northern states.
These orchids are a popular choice among naturally growing orchids. Gardeners have admired and loved them for many years.
Tropical Asian Cypripediums
Another type of lady’s-slipper orchid originally comes from tropical regions of Asia. These orchids, known as Paphiopedilum or “cyps”, are popular with houseplant lovers.
Today, these “Cyps” are grown in huge numbers – even tens of thousands. Indoor gardeners like these orchids a lot. They are some of the easiest orchids to grow at home compared to other kinds.
Ancient Origins and Habitats
Cypripediums are thought to be the oldest type of orchids. There are four groups of “cyp” orchids, and they’re very different from other types of orchid plants, especially regarding their structure.
The 60 known species of Asiatic “cyps” (Paphiopedilum) have a native habitat ranging from China, Nepal, southward throughout Southeast Asia, the Philippines, and Indonesia to New Guinea.
Where indigenous, these orchids are found in grassy meadows or on moss-covered rocks, They are even air plants high up in forest trees.
Characteristics of Lady’s-Slipper Orchids
Lady’s-slipper orchids consist of tightly-clustered growths, having about six tongue-shaped or oblong leaves, which produce numerous, usually very fuzzy, roots from the base of the clumps.
Rather tough in texture, the leaves vary in color from bright, glossy green to deep green, marbled with paler green, gray, or dull purple.
In some of the species with purple-marbled foliage, the undersurface of the leaves is a lustrous purple, making them appealing plants even when not in bloom.
Blooming Patterns
Most of the “ups” bear a single blossom per spike. This arises from the center of the leaf cluster, but certain tropical species and a few hybrids produce six or more per spike.
Among the longest-lasting of all orchids, it is not unusual for the blooms to remain fresh for several months. Even when cut for corsages, their keeping qualities are incredible.
Flower Structure
The flowers of these orchids are attractively colored and frequently rather large and show.
They have three sepals, larger than the petals, with the typically erect dorsal or upper one, called the “standard,” and the two lateral or side ones united into a single segment or “syn-spear.”
The petals are usually borne at right angles to the sepals and in some types, are rather elongated.
A peculiar structure is the lip, shaped like a pouch, with a squat, frequently fuzzy column borne at its base. It is from this pouch-like lip that the common name of lady’s-slipper orchid was derived.
Color Features in Cypripediums
The color range in the “cyps” is extremely wide, including shades of green, yellow, brown, red, pink, purple, and white.
The combinations and blendings of hue are often very striking on a single blossom.
Sometimes it appears that the color had been applied with brush-like strokes, while large, sometimes embossed spots are present in other cases.
The petals of some types bear warts and even tufts of stiff, dark hairs. Almost all alI have are flowers, which look like they had been varnished, so their texture is glossy.
Growing Lady’s-slipper Orchids at Home
All orchid fanciers agree that these fabulous cypripediums are among the easiest to grow in the home.
Hundreds of hobbyists have discovered they will grow as readily as begonias, ferns, African violets, or other favorite house plants.
A sunny window-sill in the living room or kitchen is all the “greenhouse” needed.
Housing and Watering
“Cyps” do well in average temperatures maintained in the home till they need a large, shallow dish or pan filled with gravel or crushed rock, with water at about one-third the depth of the gravel.
The water level should be kept as constant as possible, though it should not rise above the bottom of the pot where the orchid is growing.
Evaporation of the water from this gravel-filled pan prevents the plant from drying out too rapidly and provides necessary humidity.
The “cyp” plant you buy will be potted in the proper mixture but will need watering periodically.
Since these orchids do not have moisture-storing structures, or pseudo-bulbs, as do most others, keep them moist always but never wet. When and how to water will depend upon the time of year and the room’s temperature.
In a heated room, plants will naturally dry out more rapidly. The easiest method is to bring the pot to the sink and apply water thoroughly from above, allowing it to drain away before replacing the plant to its position.
Water only early in the day so that excess moisture will have time to dry out in the leaf axils before the chill of the evening. This will also prevent buds, which appear at the center of the plant, from rotting.
Lighting and Nutrient Requirements
A sunny window is an ideal location. However, ensure plants do not get too much light, especially during the summer.
Excessive sun will stunt their growth, as well as discourage flowering.
Cypripediums will produce sturdier growth and flower more profusely if fed regularly. Use almost any fertilizer suitable for house plants, but apply at half the recommended strength.
Fertilizing is most important during the active growing period, usually from March through September.
Major Groups of Cypripediums
“Cyps” found in collections today fall into two major groups, easily identified by foliage.
Most of the so-called warm types (so-named from their place of origin and cultural requirements) have mottled leaves.
They will thrive in temperatures as high as 65° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit. This category includes Cypripedium callosum, C. lawrenceanum, and the popular hybrid C. maudiae.
These “cyps” are often considered the best for the amateur, with a small collection of orchids, since they flower almost year-round.
The second group, known as the cool types, has plain green leaves and does well if the night temperature extends as low as 50 to 60 degrees. These are, for the most part, rather strictly seasonal in their flowering habits.
Blossoms appear as a rule during the late fall, winter, and early spring months. Many of these species and hybrids bloom twice in rapid succession. The cool “cyps” include such species as C. insigne, C. venustum, C. barbatum, and C. fairrieanum.
44659 by Alex D. Hawkes