MOST
IMPORTANT SPECIFIC CULTIVATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR CYPRIPEDIUM .
Temperature ;
Cool temperate , most between minus 15 °C and plus 30 °C . Most species
are frost resistant in dormant phase . Once growing starts , frost is very
harmful . High temperature of root system (over 25 °C ) in summer is cause of
death number one ! Stable cold winter temperatures are beneficial .
Light
; Full light in morning as
this is combined with low air temperatures , always shade at noon ,
possibly some extra sun afternoon depending on light need of the species
. Never let light warm up the soil .
Humidity ;
Depending on the species , most species like humid ,not wet , growing conditions
, and rather dry soils when dormant . Air humidity should be at least 50 % in
growing phase .
Compost ;
Depending on species , acid or alkaline , with or without limestone or
oyster shells. Always very well drained , and if not acid , always poor of
organics , no more than 10 % .Suitable materials are pumice gravel, stone ships,
coarse sand , seramis ,highly structured clay and loam (cannot get liquid ) . As
organics we can use freshly fallen leaves , coco peat , fen soil ( no peat ),
pine needles . A cover of
a suitable coarse type of moss is beneficial .
Repotting ;
Cypripedium grows best in a cool spot in the garden, a north facing wall
for instance .You may plant them in autumn and spring when still dormant , or in
summer after flowering when growths have reached maturity . For pot cultivation
, use
oversized containers and keep them several years in the same containers .
Water
quality ;
Good quality of water is essential , chlorine less tap water , or
rainwater is even better . pH is less important . A few times rinsing salt build
up of containers is advisable in growing phase .
Fertiliser ;
Easiest is to use a slow release fertiliser . Applied , only once a year,
when growths are well developed , 5 to 10 grains per plant , and at the edges of
the container , away from the stem .