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Cypripedium orchids?

suzabanana (6b Boston/N. Shore)

8 years ago

Does anyone have any experience with these?

I came across a local grower claiming they are hardy to zone 3! Which would mean they could be perennials in my garden. This sounds too good to be true...

http://www.hillsidenursery.biz/cypripedium-orchids/index.php#bkmrk9

Featured Answer

Bill

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

...It most probably is.........I say Don't.

I am familiar with two of the US native Cyps,, (Cyp.acaule, and Cyp. calceolus var pbesces) and here is my take on the matter.

Acaule is he pink lady's slipper, and is the easiest of the two to reestablish -- IF you can duplicate the symbiotic relationship it has with another plant in order to survive in the wild. We find these frequently in the Smoky Mountains, and down into the upstate of SC. They are always found in hardwood forests but also ONLY found growing in association with one particular plant that frequently appears in patches within those hardwood forests. You go into the hardwood forest and look for these other plants and most of the time the "pinks" are growing there. If you remove the plants from this specific niche environment it will decline and die in a year or two.

The second Cyp. naïve to the same area is parviflorm, or the yellow lady's slipper. This plant is found in the same mountain hardwood forests as the pinks, but always in spring or stream fed valleys or gullies. It prefers a decidedly wet location along the banks of running or trickling water. I know of none of these that have ever been successfully relocated, but in reality only know of one real profssional attempt to move several plants from a construction site.....none survived.

Both these plants are, or probably should be on the protected list. I have never seen either species in the wild carrying a seed pod. Supposedly there are those who do reproduce them by seed and sell them as small plants. I am very fond of both these species, and go far out of my way to do all I can to protect them, which explains why I am so vague about how to locate them in the wild.

To find a patch of pinks blooming in the early spring is truly an inspiring sight, and to see the regal stalk of yellows looking out over the tops of the other plants alongside a spring runoff makes a long and difficult search more than worthwhile.

Take a trip into the deep mountain forests in your state, they are there, and seeing them thriving in nature is much more enjoyable than watching them wither and die in your yard.

edit:

There is some dispute about which Cyp. the yellow slipper is. I used the "Wild Flowers of North Carolina by William S. Justice and C. Rtchie Bell 1968 edition as my field guide many years ago when I took the following photos. No matter which, they are beautiful flowers.

Bill

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Comments (7)

Bill
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I have no idea why this thing cut the top off the second photo, or how to fix it, so will just try again.

Bill

I give up!!!!!! you'll just have to imagine it.

Bill

This is totally cazy.....Three times this thing cut the top off the pink slipper when I submitted it, and now they are ok.......Just enjoy.

Bill
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theterrestrialman
8 years ago
Yes I believe that the cultivated cyps that are being offerred would prove suitable to your garden once you have made the proper changes to the planting area where they would be placed. This nursery offers advice on how to handle these great little plants. Advice on planting cyps in your garden

But you do not want to mess with wild plants as they are not suitable for garden cultivation. The plants being sold are raised from seed and take years to reach the size that is being offered. Despite the fact I am in central California and do not have the winter conditions for these cyps to do well in over a long period, and they can last for many years, they can handle a couple of years here before just becoming exhausted because of our warmer winters.

My best advice is to try one of the hybrids as they tend to be stronger than the species. Work up and amend your soil where you intend to place them and then make the purchase. Keep in mind that slugs and snails are lethal to these plants so they need to be removed from the garden to protect the cyps. Good luck.
Darlene (GreenCurls)
8 years ago
I purchased this cyprepedium pubescens from a local place, Roberts Flower Supply. I have not planted it in my garden yet. I am anxious about doing so. I will get to it this weekend. Here it is in bloom in its pot.
theterrestrialman
8 years ago
Here is one source of info that can prove helpful.

in ground pot culture
garlicgrower
8 years ago
The colder zone is not the problem, it's usually providing the correct soil type and pH.

I've seen various Cyps in the wild in New England, and they are subject to 'kidnapping." : -(

Hill Side is a reputable nursery in the western Massachusetts. You can probably email them and ask about your concerns, Also, New England Wildflower Society www.newfs.org can help with specifics too. Visit them, it's a wonderful place. Good luck!

Maryanne in Western Mass
macranthos
8 years ago
Cypripedium passerinum and guttatum and yatabeanum are arguably Hardy to zone 1 or 2! It's really not the hardiness, as mentioned above, nor is it any sort of mycotrophic symbiosis that makes them more difficult than the average bear, it's just drainage and constant moisture level issues. Two hints: They do much better in the ground (especially if sited correctly) and hybrids are easier than the straight species.

Availability continues to increase: you can find these at quite a few places now adays.

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