Yellow Lady's Slipper Care
Yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum) is an orchid species native to the Northeastern United States, where it can be found growing in bogs, swamps and wet woods. The plant grows to between 1 1/2 and 2 feet tall, producing unique yellow flowers in late spring to early summer. Yellow lady's slipper may be grown indoors or outdoors. Does this Spark an idea?
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Location
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Lady's slippers are low-light, warm-growing orchids that prefer a north- or east-facing window in the house, or a protected west- or south-facing window. Too much sunlight may scorch the leaves. They do not require a specific temperature and do fine with average household temperature. Yellow lady's slippers are suitable outdoor plants for U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 3 to 8. They may be grown in a sunny location if planted in moist soil.
Soil
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Yellow lady's slippers are terrestrial orchids that require a well-draining, loose potting medium. Fertilize with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Potassium and phosphorous support flower growth, while nitrogen helps create lush, healthy leaves. Water plants prior to feeding, and always dissolve dry or granular fertilizer before applying to the soil. Overfertilizing or fertilizing without watering first can burn the plant's roots and lead to an overaccumulation of salts in the plant's container.
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Water
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Water plants early in the day so that the plant has time to dry out before nighttime. Watering at night or in the afternoon leads to wet foliage, which is more likely to succumb to fungal disease. As a general rule of thumb, water once a week in the winter and twice a week in the summer. Smaller containers dry out faster and therefore need more watering than plants grown in larger containers. Use rainwater whenever possible.
Ventilation
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Air circulation is crucial to the health of all orchids, evaporating stagnant water that can act as a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Indoor lady's slippers may catch an infection or die from rot if ventilation is not sufficient. Open a window in the summer to allow a fresh breeze to come in the room, and turn on a ceiling fan during the winter. Outdoor plants should not be crowded too close together.
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References
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