Cypripedium
reginae is native to North America, and is the
state flower of Minnesota.This white form,
album, is a rare albino form - the type plant
has a pink to magenta lower labellum.
To grow
Cypripedium reginae album in a container, it
needs a sheltered spot north or west facing.
My orchid is kept north facing and is sitting
where I put it after the 2017 show. The
picture was taken in the first week of May
this year.
All it needs is a weak feed once a year and
not be allowed to dry out. Protection from
slugs is essential, especially in spring
when the nose starts growing. It was about
three weeks later appearing this year due to
the cold early spring. The orchid has
been in its pot since it was a single bulb
nearly five years ago and now needs to be
potted on if it is to expand.
I have
not done this yet (scared) so it still has
four flowers like last year, but have to now
when the foliage dies down. I have very open
compost as it needs woodland style growing
conditions - peat or wood chips, leaf mould,
loam and added grit. I will keep as much as
possible of the compost it is in. I have
other Slipper Orchids and they are treated
in a similar manner.
|
|
