Lady's Slipper Orchid: Description and Planting Tips

                           Lady's slipper orchid
This is the state flower of Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya and Jharkhand. It has diameter up to ten centimetres and it has a pleasant fragrance.The flower attracts many kinds of insects, flies and butterfies. The plant has only two leaves.The flower stalk grows from the center from where the leaves branch out. The flower looks like a lady's slipper. It blooms in colour of white, yellow, deep pink and purple.There are lots of varieties of lady's slipper. Most common is Pink Lady's slipper. It has pink flower with the height of 3" long and has a sweet smell. Another common slipper is Yellow lady slipper. This s the large slipper which grows upto 2 ft with the flower petals upto 6 inches across.Showy lady’s slipper is another large slipper grows upto 1-2 ft. White lady’s slipper is the small reaches anywhere from 6 to 12 inches in height.

Common Name:Lady's Slipper Orchid
Botanical Name:Cypripedioideae
Family:Orchidaceae
Life Cycle:Perennial
Plant Height:2 ft
Foliage Colour:Green
Flower Colour: Pink, Yellow, White, Purple
Light Requirements:Partial sun
Soil Type:Mineral soil/ crumbly soil
Advantages:Attract bees and butterfly

Planting Tips:

The Lady slipper Orchd grows well in damp woods and natural light.
For planting, prepare the soil with 1 part of perlite, 1 part of charcoal, 3 parts of coarse sand and 3 parts peat.Mix them well with a little water until the soil is moist but not wet.
In case of rock garden dig a large hole as the root ball easily can put in it. For container plants, choose a pot where the roots can accommodate for 2 years. The pot should have holes and drainage system in the bottom and sides.
Fill the hole or pot with the potting mixture to support the orchid’s base.
Plant or place the Slipper orchid in partial shade. As the consistent sunlight should reach it.
Water it to keep the soil moist. For container plants, let the water run out to the bottom of the container.
Fertilize the Showy Lady’s Slipper orchid with the fertilizer with organic ingredients, such as fish emulsion. Apply it every alternative week. At the beginning apply it direct on the soil but do not do this again. In any case do not over fertilize.