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| I have had a ladyslipper in my garden for about 8 years. In fact, the small garden was built where it is now because the lady slipper was growing. Since the garden was planted, the ladyslipper leaves come up growing larger each year, but dosen't flower. It looks very healthy otherwise and the leaves last until the fall. I have tried adding extra compost, pine needles, etc. The other woodland flowers do fine. Any help ing producing a flower is appreciated. Thanks!
I live in the Lower Hudson Valley in a woodland area. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by plantfreak z9aKyushuJapan (My Page) on Mon, Feb 27, 06 at 10:30
| The main reason a Cypripedium doesn't bloom is that it isn't getting enough light. Most species prefer bright shade, and some require at least a few hours of sun each day to bloom. Do you know what species you have? I would guess you have either the pink ladyslipper (C. acaule) or the yellow ladyslipper (C. parviflorum v. pubescens). The other possibility is that you have a plant that looks a lot like a ladyslipper, but isn’t: the false hellebore (Veratrum viride). The leaves look much like C. reginae in particular. This species often doesn’t produce flowers for many years, so you may think you have a Cypripedium when in fact you don’t. Here’s a link to Veratrum to be sure. |
Here is a link that might be useful: V. viride
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| Hi there Plantfreak; Thank you for your quick response! |
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| They have lateral roots that do not like to be disturbed. A mature plant's roots can extend several feet horizontally from where you see growth. When the tips are broken they do not regenerate but send out brand new roots. It may be generating new roots for any you inadvertantly severed. Top growth will help it to do that but also might prevent it from flowering (cost of production). From your post I get the feeling you may be giving it a bit more attention than it can handle. Careful not to overfertilize or change soil structure, composition, chemistry. They like acidic well drained soil. Once established they like to be left alone. Good luck! |
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| They don't like too much fertilizer/nutrient. Good vegetative growth without flowering is the #1 symptom of too much nitrogen. I would stop adding what you're adding, and try just shredded leaves as a mulch. I have spots in my woods with 10+ flowering pink ladyslippers- they do great without my interference in oak leaves and pine needles. In fact, I now I'd screw them up if I tried to "help" :) |
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- Posted by plantfreak z9aKyushuJapan (My Page) on Wed, Mar 1, 06 at 18:55
| I agree with the above posts. This species prefers nutrient poor soils that are above all acidic in reaction. Anything over pH 4.5 for a sustained period will kill them in a few seasons. Also, I would avoid adding any complex organic fertilizer that decomposes rapidly, such as the manure. This invites a host of problems for terrestrial orchids in general since it invigorates potential pathogens, especially the overgrowth of fungi. Frankly, it is amazing your plant has endured this treatment. It would be better if you watered it occasionally with dilute vinegar solution (teaspoon/gallon of mineral free H2O) to insure low pH levels of the soil. Still, maintaining the plant for eight years means it is firmly established. Was it naturally in your garden or did you plant it? |
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| Hi Thank You everyone for your responses! I will take your advice and not continue to baby my lady Slipper. It was there originally and I built the garden around it. I have not seen any new shoots. Plantfreak, I will check the PH of the soil and if need be, try your vinegar appilication, and/or leave it be and hope for blooms in the future. Thanks again to all!!! |
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