Cypripedium, lady's slipper, cuckoo's boots or Adam's head are the names of the same garden plant from the Orchid family. I began to grow the original flower in the garden after winter-hardy hybrids bred by the German breeder M. Weinert.
Conditions for growing a hybrid of a lady's slipper
The garden orchid is a perennial herb that can be grown in temperate regions. In natural conditions, the flower grows in deciduous forests, highlands and low-lying plains.
For a full-fledged growing season, a shade-tolerant perennial needs a loose, moderately moist, humus-rich soil. The plant does not tolerate extreme heat, so I plant it in the shade of trees. The lady's slipper easily tolerates frosts down to -5 ° С, and with good snow cover, even 30-degree cold weather is not afraid of it.
The plant reproduces rapidly by seeds and dividing the bush, young seedlings are rooted in spring and autumn. In favorable conditions, cuckoo boots can grow in one place for up to 10-15 years.
Planting cypripedium in open ground
Adam's head prefers well-drained soil that allows moisture and oxygen to pass through. The plant easily tolerates short-term drought, but reacts negatively to wetlands. Therefore, you should not plant it in areas with a close occurrence of groundwater.
Before planting cypripedium, clay soil must be diluted with sand and humus, since in heavy soil the ornamental culture will slowly develop. And from stagnant moisture, the root system will begin to rot.
For the planting procedure, I prepare wells up to 10 cm deep in advance. I fill the holes with turf soil mixed with humus or compost. I carefully spread the rhizome of the lady's shoe, sprinkle it with soil and, after lightly compacting the soil, water it abundantly.
Caring for Cuckoo Boots
Cypripedium is an unpretentious plant that prefers neutral or slightly alkaline soil and systematic watering. So that moisture from the soil does not quickly evaporate, I mulch the ground with mowed grass or humus. The protective layer drowns out the growth of weeds, which makes it easier to care for the plant.
Twice a month I feed my garden culture with organic matter: an infusion of mullein, bird droppings, compost or weeds. Nutrient deficiencies can be identified by the color of the leaves - they turn pale. And from the excess of sunlight, the crown of the cypripedium begins to turn yellow.
Pest prevention
Most often, the thick foliage of the lady's shoe is damaged by slugs. To protect against pests, I spray the plants with folk remedies that repel insects: infusion of garlic or tobacco dust. Treatment with fungicides has a good effect: "Skor", "Fundazol", "Aktellik", "Aktara", etc.
Best Cypripedium hybrids
The best hybrids of decorative culture, bred by M. Weinert, are in great demand among domestic summer residents. Among them, the following varieties are especially popular:
- Gisela;
- Emil;
- Anna;
- Hank Small and others.
Each of these plants grows rapidly and is distinguished by bright, abundant flowering. Winter-hardy and shade-tolerant culture does not need special care. But the conditions created for the flower will determine its health and longevity.
Thick, bright green lady's shoe rosettes up to 30-40 cm in height are ideal not only for growing outdoors, but also for a container garden. Plants, planted in decorative flowerpots, I bring into the house for the winter, where they continue to bloom almost until the New Year.
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