Gardens at Post Hill Store

Cypripedium - Temperate Ladyslipper Orchids

Spring 2012

Ordering

You may order and pay in two ways, by Check using our order form or by Paypal, using your Credit Card or PayPal account, directly from the website.

Cypripedium will be shipped in mid-April, seedlings in early May.

Plants

We are a nursery specializing in woodland plants. We are located in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut at the border of USDA zone 5 and 6. Summer temperatures in a hot year can reach 100 F and winter temperatures in a cold year can reach -15 F. The plants we sell will all survive these temperatures outside all year with a few exceptions - which we note in the descriptions for each plant.

In addition to listed plants, we also sometimes have available limited numbers of unlisted plants - please contact us if you are looking for something we do not have. If we do not have it, we will help you find someone who does.

Due to the difficulty and costs of obtaining phytosanitary and CITES certificates, we can only ship within the United States.

Cypripedium Inge bed with plants in bloom.

Cypripedium Ladyslipper Orchids

Cypripedium ladyslipper orchids are among the most showy of the temperate terrestrial orchids. Please read our cultivation instructions to make sure that you live in an appropriate part of the country to grow these magnificient garden plants. Plants should be situated in a partially shaded area and preferably planted in a soiless medium. For those who plan to only have one or a few terrestrial orchids, we now offer the planting medium we use in 2 and 3 gallon bags.

We sell plants in several sizes:
Blooming Size Plants have bloomed at least once. Usually we sell single crown plants that will expand into larger clumps over the years. Sometimes we have a few multiple crown plants for sale. Prices will be posted individually for these.
Near Blooming Size Plants have spent four to five years in the garden and with good average care should bloom in a year or two.
Garden-Established Seedlings are offered to encourage gardeners who are hesitant to spend the large sums that 5-6 year old plants command before becoming proficient in growing Cypripedium. These plants have been grown outside in beds here at the Gardens for two seasons "two year plants" or three seasons "three year plants." Thus, they are well-established, proven plants. Most Cypripedium bloom by their fifth year outside with good average care. Due to low demand for garden-established seedlings, only list a few of them here. If you are interested in obtaining a list of what is available, please email us and we will forward a list. There will be many items that are not listed here.
Deflasked Seedlings have been removed from flask and either require vernalization in a refrigerator or they have been vernalized (the listing will indicate which). Planting of seedlings should be in pots and these seedlings require good care. While deflasked seedlings generally do well, you must expect some losses. We recommend seedlings to those who have prior experience with very young orchid seedlings; see our care instructions for seedlings. Most Cypripedium bloom about five years from deflasking - some individuals may be as early as three years, others may take six or seven. We offer several different seedlings each Spring.

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   Species

Cat Number CYPSM006 Cypripedium candidum
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We told you last year that we have many seedlings coming along. Some of these should bloom for the first time during the 2012 season. If you want candidum (who doesnt!) check our Fall List. Since we expect blooming plants you can email us to be put on a waiting list for Fall. This does not obligate you to purchase but plants will be made available to folks in the order in which interest is registered. When the plants become available you will be notified and can then let us know if you still want one.

Single stem blooming size plant
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This species requires somewhat more sun than most Cypripedium. Allow them four - five hours of sun to encourage maximum blooming. They also require a slightly alkaline soil. We add 1 part crushed oyster shell (available from animal feed stores for poultry) to 10 parts of our usual Cypripedium growth medium and sprinkle about 1/4 cup lime around each plant in the fall.