Growing Cypripediums in the backyard

[JKeys]

Hi all. Hope you people knowledgeable about this topic can give me some info. I am wondering if, and if so how, I can grow cypripediums in my backyard.

I live near Boston, which is zone 5-6. Is this climate good for growing cypripediums outdoors?

If so, how should I go about doing this? I realize that, just like all orchids, there are numerous species and hybrids. Are there certain ones that suit this growing zone better?

If I were to have a "cypripedium garden" in my backyard, how should I go about preparing the soil/garden, and when is the best time to plant? Also, are there other plants that like the same type of soil as cypripediums that I could plant along with them?

That is about all for now. May add some q's later.


EDIT:

When is the best time to plant? Fall, spring, summer? Is it too late this year?
Thanks!

[Rico13]

I don't know much about soil conditions for cypripediums, but I know you should be able to grow them where you are. Here in Minnesota, our state flower is the showy lady slipper, and since it grows in zone 4, you should be able to grow it where you are. But be careful you don't get plants that are not hardy enough, because some plants are naturallly found in China, and I don't know how hardy they are. You should be able to find soil recipes, and other things like that on Google. Hope it works out for you!

-rico

[Vanda lover]

I used to live in Southern Ontario, which is the same zone you are in. The yellow ones were growing wild in some areas in sandy loam. I transplanted a clump and planted it with some sand and compost. It did very well and multiplied. They only bloom for about 3 weeks of the year though. Not like tropical orchids.
There are garden centres that sell hardy orchids. They are usually quite expensive, though some kinds are not.

[Tindomul]

Hi, I have never tried growing these nor have I read much on them. However,
I went to the New York Botanical Gardens today and on a tour of their native garden I asked how to care for their Cyps. The tour guide gave me few details but did say this:
1) They make sure that when planting them the roots are not damaged in any way shape or form. They take extreme care when transplanting.
2) They use soil from around their rhododendrons and blueberries. She said that this soil has the right acidity and the right micchorizal fungi.

I do have an article of growing cyps which I can send via email if you like.

[JKeys]

Thanks, all. Tindo that email would be great, mine is theslackdawg@gmail.com. As I have found some helpful info on what types, all I need to know now is when to plant them. Is falltime ok, or should I wait until next year?

[Tindomul]

Sent

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by JKeys

Thanks, all. Tindo that email would be great, mine is theslackdawg@gmail.com. As I have found some helpful info on what types, all I need to know now is when to plant them. Is falltime ok, or should I wait until next year?

I am also interested in growing cypripediums so I have been doing some research and I would say not to plant right now. All the places that have them for sale online say that they do not even ship in fall or winter but will ship in the spring so my guess is that's when you would want to plant. Also I think you should buy from a place that specializes in Cypripediums rather then a garden center only because they seem to be cheaper this way Good luck

[Optimist]

I am a noob, and forgive me for chiming in, but we had lots of wild lady slippers where I lived for a while before moving to New Mexico.

I lived in Lincoln Nebraska, this was in growing zone 5b. And where there was moss on the rock walls of a house, you'd find your wild lady slippers. They were treated like weeds. I believe that the exposure has to be where moss grows on trees or walls and where there is not a lot light infiltration, and yet nice sun light. The moss will tell you where there is enough moisture.
As far as moisture, it was mainly always damp, cool, sheltered, and frankly, they were growing in a fine silty "fill" earth at the foundations of a house, so it was almost like the media did not matter. I suppose it had good drainage.

My guess if you go around the neighborhoods you will find these places. The lady slippers always died out so they were not around in the winter. Just the roots remained under ground, and they would pop up in late spring some time after Easter.

I do not know much about these things, and did not think of them at the time, but I feel where there is heavy moss in, say, the inner corner of some exterior walls (ours stayed near the outside contour of the fireplace and also under the windows, near basement windows.)

As far as "species" these were just "wild" lady slippers.

I think the ryzome needs to be established before enduring the sort of winter they have in zone 5. I'd plant it after Easter in the spring.

[Vanda lover]

Not all of them need it that damp. I dug mine from sandy gravel at a roadside where it was growing in full sun.

[The Orchid Boy]

I have 6 cypripedium a now and love them. I 'm getting around 15 more next year. I made up my own mixture of leaves, sticks, sand, dirt, gravel, and oyster shells. Keep them moist and bright. I have a hundred or so Cyp. candidum within 30 miles of my house. I go see them every spring. Ask me questions here or pm me.