Pink Lady's Slipper.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Difficile

Type de plante

Perennial orchid

Lumière

Dappled shade

Lumière en intérieur

Lumière moyenne

Arrosage

Tous les 3 à 7 jours

Taille adulte

15 to 30 cm

Croissance

Lente

Rusticité

USDA 3 à 7

Floraison

Late spring to early summer

Entretien

This plant requires a specialized mycorrhizal fungus in the soil to survive, making it nearly impossible to keep in a pot. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Watch for signs of stress like yellowing leaves, which often indicate the plant is struggling to adapt to its site.

Arrosage

Keep the soil evenly moist but ensure it drains well to prevent root rot.

Engrais

Do not fertilize this plant as it relies on soil fungi for nutrients.

Taille

Remove dead foliage only after the plant has gone completely dormant in late autumn.

Rempotage

This plant does not tolerate disturbance and should not be repotted.

Sol

Acidic, sandy, or peaty soil

pH du sol

4.0 to 5.5

Température

-35 à 25°C

Humidité

60 à 90%

Sécurité

Humains

The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation to the mouth and throat.

Enfants

Keep children away from the plant as the hairs can cause skin irritation and the plant is toxic if eaten.

Allergènes de contact

The glandular hairs on the stem and leaves can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Allergènes aéroportés

There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this species.

Comestibilité

This plant is not edible and may cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested.

Comment l'identifier

• Two large basal leaves
• Single pink pouch shaped flower
• Deeply cleft labellum
• Hairy flowering stem
• Found in acidic forest soil

Hauteur

0,2 à 0,4m

Envergure

0,15 à 0,3m

Feuilles

green, deciduous

Fleurs

pink, white, 5 à 8cm

Problèmes courants

• Root rot — Occurs when the soil remains too wet without proper drainage.
• Slugs and snails — These pests feed on the tender emerging foliage and flower buds.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, division

Quand planter

spring, autumn

Always plant in soil that mimics the natural forest floor, including plenty of organic matter and acidic pine needles.

Bonnes associations

• Eastern hemlock — Provides the acidic leaf litter and dappled shade this orchid prefers.
• Christmas fern — Thrives in similar woodland conditions without competing for space.

Espèces similaires

• Cypripedium parviflorum — Shares the iconic slipper shape but prefers slightly more alkaline soil.

Science

Famille

Orchidaceae

Genre

Cypripedium

Ordre

Asparagales

Classe

Liliopsida

Région d'origine

Eastern North America from Canada to the southern United States.

Préservation

This orchid is protected in many states and should never be collected from the wild.

It grows in acidic, nutrient poor soils in coniferous or deciduous forests where it forms a symbiotic relationship with soil fungi.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles

Utilisations

ornamental woodland garden, native plant restoration

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Can I grow this in my backyard?

Only if you can replicate its specific acidic, woodland soil requirements and fungal symbionts.

Why is my plant not flowering?

It may be lacking sufficient light or the essential soil fungi required for energy.

D'où vient le nom

The name Cypripedium comes from Greek words meaning Venus and shoe, referring to the slipper shape. Acaule means stemless, describing the basal leaves.

Bon à savoir

• It is the provincial flower of Prince Edward Island.
• The flower features a specialized pouch that traps bees to ensure pollination.
• It is one of the most common orchids in North America.
• The plant can live for many years in the right conditions.

Aussi dans

• Plantes d'ombre