yellow lady slippers

15 years ago

I have a small clump of yellow lady slippers that seem to have quit flowering. Any suggestions such as soil ph or moisture or ???

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Comments (5)

cheri_mn_524
15 years ago
I believe they need a certain fungus.
dirtbert
15 years ago
Did they flower last year?
Is it still to early for them to flower yet this year?
I have several clumps (growing wild) and they are not flowering just yet.
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Yes you can grow C. pubescens in the garden, but no, I would not try it from seed. Mature, blooming size plants run about $40-$60, and are available mail order from a number of different sources (although many are likely sold out already for the year). Google around. Wild Orchid Co and Vermont Ladyslipper are two sources. If you live in the NE and have a large, respectable nursery nearby, there is a fair chance they will carry it in the wildflowers, natives, or very expensive (!) sections. C. pubescens is not the most difficult of cyps, but still requires some extra effort: well-drained soil (mostly sand and leaf mulch) with some direct sun in the morning or late afternoon, but not midday heat. Think high open shade under large trees. Plant shallow and mulch in the fall. Very light fertilizer if any, and neither let it dry out nor sit in soggy ground. Hope all this doesn't turn you off. They're wonderful plants.
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yellow lady slippers
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There's very little point in allowing the plants to produce seed pods, since the odds of getting volunteers in the garden are infinitessimal and they've only really been successfully artificially germinated using flasking techniques under lab conditions. Producing and ripening seeds uses a lot of energy that the plant could conserve and use toward building up the strength to flower in subsequent years. So, I'd suggest removing the seedpods before they develop... but I know it's tempting to leave 'em!
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Hi terrestrial man! I don't think drainage is the problem, it's in the best area of our property soil-wise, 20 years of leaf mold. I think the real problem with my formosanum is that they were smallish to begin with. I do grow about 5 or 6 species of trilliums, and doesn't C. reginae need more chill than formosanum? We get in the mid to upper teens in winter, and about 90 nights below freezing every winter (I'm in a cold spot), plus our nights are in the low 50s or below year-round. Anyway, I love these terrestrial orchids, and would love to get some of the California natives going here, there's a Cal-native ladyslipper native to the county I live in (Sonoma). But, I've never found any sources for any of the California ones. --Ron
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It is beautiful!!! Here is a link that might be useful: Our journey with autism in our family!
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hair_farmer
15 years ago
According to a local orchid expert they only need the fungus to germinate the seed.
I had a huge clump that took 2006 off from flowering. This year it is loaded with blooms that are about to open. Perhaps yours is on vacation this year.
jennypat Zone 3b NW MN
15 years ago
I have a question about growing these. I would love to get some, but am wondering if my site would work. I have clay soil, which is about 7 on the ph scale. I have an area that goes from full sun to part shade to full shade, I can plant anywhere within this area. The types of trees that are growing there now are some cedar, Ash,Oak and popplar. I consider the full sun part as dry, the shade is more dry shade, than wet shade.

What do you guys think?
dirtbert
15 years ago
There's some really good information at this website on different varieties and conditions for them:

http://www.spanglecreeklabs.com

They also have a link to a retailer in MN that sells their seedlings as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Spangle Creek Labs

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yellow lady slippers

Comments (5)

cheri_mn_524

dirtbert

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hair_farmer

jennypat Zone 3b NW MN

dirtbert

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