How to Trim Lady Slipper Orchids

Lady slippers require little pruning.

The cypripedioideais, also known as the lady slipper orchids, are a sub-family of orchids native to the Europe, Asia and the United States. Native Americans called them moccasin flowers. As members of the hardier branch of the orchid family, lady slippers need very little pruning. The delicate flowers will fall on their own once spent. However, the plant is not completely self-cleaning. Dead and dying stalks and leaves should be trimmed annually in fall to help keep the orchid attractive and disease free.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Trim off yellowing or browning leaves at their base.

2. Trim flower spikes back to 1/4 inch above the highest node (a bump on the stem from which new flowers grow) after the topmost orchid finishes flowering. This will shorten the spike to make it look more attractive, but won't sacrifice any subsequent blooms.

3. Prune away individual flower spikes once the turn yellow or brown, a sign that they will produce no more blossoms. You may trim green blossom spikes after their orchids die, but you run the risk of eliminating future flowers. Brown or yellow flower spikes may also surprise you and produce more nodes and orchids if their stems are still green, but it is much less likely. Cut the flower spike back to within an inch of the main stem.

4. Prune away wilted, brown or yellow main stems that no longer have any green areas or produce green nodes. These stems are no longer productive, will likely continue to decay and look unattractive in the process. Cut them to within 1 inch of their base.

References

• Orchid Garden Corner: How to Prune Orchids
• U.S. Forest Service: Pink ladies slipper (Cypripedium acaule Ait.)
• University of Arkansas Extension: Lady Slipper Orchid

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish