Pink Lady's Slipper

Pink Lady's Slipper Care

Cypripedium Acaule

What is the plant

It is a large sized, cold growing, erect, terrestrial plant which reaching 15-61 cm long with 2, plicate, opposite, basal, elliptic, obtuse, 9-30 cm long and 2.5-15 cm wide leaves. Moccasin Flower blooms in the spring and early summer on a terminal, slender, to 45 cm long inflorescence carrying a solitary, nodding, showy flower arising with the new leaves in the spring in the south through summer in the north. The flowers have a distinctive, slipper-like lip about two inches long. The lip is pink, ranging in color from very light pink to deep rose, with darker red or violet veins. The lip is cleft along the middle and flanked by a pair of tapering, narrow twisted petals that are yellowish green to purple with fine hairs.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

min -20°C

Hardiness zone

7 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Moccasin Flower like to be moist, but they won't tolerate getting soaked on a constant basis. You don't want to allow them to dry out either, and you should water them twice a week during the growing months from April through October. From October through the end of May, these orchids go into a dormant period where they require less water and fertilizer. You can cut back your watering to once a week with periodic checks to ensure they're staying moist.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing is especially important during the formation of the shoots in spring. The leaves should always be vibrant green. Most common fertilizers for perennials are suitable; best are those with a long-term effect. As soon as you notice new growth beginning at the start of the growing period, you should feed your orchid every 10 days with a diluted half strength balanced fertilizer. You can alternate this balanced fertilizer with a seaweed-based fertilizer every other feeding. When your orchid goes dormant, you can stop fertilizing them throughout their dormant period. They won't need it until you start to see new growth in the spring, and then you can resume feeding your orchid every 10 days.
Sunlight
Cypripedium acaule needs light shade to high open shade (70% shade cloth is satifactory). Though they grow in full sun in the wild, under cultivation they do not need that much light. It also reduces the moisture demand which is by far greater with more light. During winter protection from direct sun is beneficial, for potted plants essential, in order to prevent the plants from thawing during daytime. Otherwise the temperature fluctuation causes losses, especially in the first winter after potting.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Cypripedium acaule can be grown in large pots and require repotting about every 4 to 5 years. They prefer a well-aerated and free draining humus rich soil that does not readily dry out. Adding perlite to improve drainage and aeration is recommended.
Temperature
Moccasin Flower need a limit daily maximum temperatures to less than 26°C in summer and a minimum winter nighttime temperature of 4 to 7°C, with daytime temperatures of 10 to 16°C. In winter temperatures of -20°C or lower are no problem, even for potted plants. Additionally, covering the pots with brushwood from spruce trees is recommended.
Additional
Contact with the fresh plant can cause dermatitis in sensitive people. Hairs on the leaves can cause a rash similar to poison ivy rash in some people