Not sure I have the right conditions for Cypripediums...

[samantha.c]

Hello! I have kept my eye on Cypripediums for years and, while I probably had better conditions before I definitely have the ability to dedicate more time/resources to them now. My only concern...I live in the middle of the city. As in...a studio. Is it even possible to grow these gorgeous plants indoors or am i just stuck admiring them from afar?

[Roberta]

Which ones were you considering? I can't think of any of the North American Cyps that could grow either in your neighborhood or mine... After all, the state flower of Minnesota is Cyprepedium reginae... but it would be pretty impossible to grow in coastal California. I recall reading in Orchids a few years back about how easy Cyps were to grow- in hardiness zone 5 or lower...(I think the author was in Kentucky) You are in 10a (or maybe 9b) and I am in 10b ... not going to happen. There are a few that grow in the Sierras... but I don't think that there are any that don't need a (really) cold winter.

There are some cold-winter terrestrials that people have occasionally managed to grow by putting them in the refrigerator over the winter, but I don't think that the success rate is very high. I tried that with tulips... got them to come back maybe one or two years, but that was it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

As long as daytime temperatures do not exceed 80 F during their active growing season, you're ok to grow most Cypripedium species. There are a few species where 80 F is still too warm. These need it to be no warmer than 75 F, (daytime temperature), while they are actively growing. An example of a Cyp that does better in daytime temperatures of 75 F would be Cypripedium guttatum.

A 20 F drop in temperature at night does help things a bit.

Using clay pots help keep things cooler too.

Do not expose to frost. Frost either does major damage to them or can kill them.

Watering with refrigerated water can help as well.

The potting media should be well drained.

No standing water.

Consistent moisture throughout the day, but not soggy.

Moderately bright indirect light.

Refrigerate when dormant.

Depending on the species or hybrid of Cypripedium, most will need slightly alkaline pH soil, some prefer acidic soil. Research the Cypripedium you're interested in getting. Cypripedium acaule, (Cyp native to parts of Canada and the US), is a Cyp that likes acidic "soil" (pH 5.0 - 5.5). Cypripedium tibeticum, (Cyp native to China), is one of those that likes alkaline "soil" (pH 8.0).

Some Cypripediums do not do well in potting media with organic materials in it. They only do well if you grow them in limestone rocks. An example would be Cypripedium lichiangense, (Cyp native to China).

[estación seca]

Cypripedium would be very difficult to grow indoors. I would not recommend them to any beginner. People who grow them successfully grow them outdoors in gardens in cold-winter climates, which is what they expect. They are covered in snow during the winter.

Their Asian slipper orchid relatives in genus Paphiopedilum are quite easy to grow indoors, and the flowers are also very pretty. There are many different kinds, with different flower colors, and plants from quite small to very large. Some like warmer temperatures, and others a little cooler. Some like brighter light, and some shade. There have been many thousands of hybrids made. Trader Joe's often has these in stock.

Finally, South American slipper orchids in genus Phragmipedium should also do well for you, since they like it a little cooler than many people can manage. They also like more water than most orchids. Many people here stand them in shallow dishes of water.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Phragmipediums have the advantage of being moderately fast growing orchids compared to most Paphiopedilums.

The drawback to growing Phrags is the amount of consistent moisture they need.

Many Paphs do not require as much moisture as Phrags.

Paphs and Phrags are more suited to being grown in intermediate to warm temperatures. Only a few are actually temperature tolerant.

---------- Post added at 11:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:23 PM ----------

I really don't recommend exposing Cypripediums to frost even when they are dormant.

[MrHappyRotter]

Some of these responses are a bit confusing (to me), but here's my opinion. Cypripediums just don't make good indoor plants. If you have lots of disposable income and don't mind the high probability that you're going to kill the plants, then feel free to try some. Start with fully grown adult plants, seedlings will be too fragile. Go with very forgiving species like C. kentuckiense, C. pubescens, or some of the Asian species like C. japonica or hybrids thereof. Do your research on these first, though, and read up on details about growing Cyps in pots. You'll probably need to use artificial lights, and a fair amount of energy for temperature control (fans / AC / refrigeration / etc) and high quality filtered water is pretty important.

And note that, even experienced gardeners find many/most Cypripediums to a challenge to grow long term. Plants can be quite healthy one year, and then die off completely the next. They are supremely adapted to their native environments and are tough little survivors, but taken from the wild, many are very finicky.

I'd certainly love to try some Cyps myself, but my philosophy is that these are somewhat expensive plants (unless you're buying wild collected specimens of common species which I don't recommend) and the risk of failure is too high for me to be able to rationalize it. I can buy a high quality mature Paphiopedilum or Phragmipedium (or two) for the prices of many Cyps, and at least with the tropical genera, I know I'll have a happy, healthy plant for many many years if I choose.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Actually, indoors or outdoors, it doesn't matter for a Cypripedium. One of the most important factors is daytime temperature during active growing season not exceeding their upper limits of tolerance. For most species that would be about 80 F. There are certain outliers within the genus where the daytime temperature during active growing season cannot be above 75 F.

Ideally, there should be a 20 degree F drop in temperature from daytime temperature to nighttime temperature while they are being growing during their active growing season.

The potting media should drain really well. At least with the Chinese Cypripediums, they grow in areas with lots of limestone. Their roots should get a decent amount of air circulation going to them. The potting media cannot stay soggy. If the potting media becomes waterlogged, the roots rot. However, they like consistent moisture throughout the day.

Lighting indoors should not be very strong. A bulb rated at about 2,000 lumens is enough. A light rated at 5,000 K to 6,500 K should get close to producing the natural color spectrum of lighting.

[samantha.c]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback. I think between your responses and the research I've done this is probably not an idea species for me, at least right now. I will stick with my phrags and paphs for the time being. I very much appreciate all the feedback!