Cypripedium 



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Cypripedium 



Botanists 



other Orchid, although there are between ninety 

 and a hundred species and several hundred recorded 

 hybrids. 



Botanical Sections of the Genus. In such a 

 widespread genus it is natural to find distinctive 

 groups of species, and while it may be advisable to 

 give descriptive titles to such groups for purposes 

 of classification, horticulturists are not prepared to 

 accept such titles as .strictly generic. *:<* 

 made several groups of Cypri- 

 pedium, but latterly they have 

 defined 1 these as separate 

 genera. In this article the 

 Lady's Slipper Orchids are all 

 dealt with as Cypripediums, 

 though according- to latest ad- 

 vices they should be divided 

 into four separate genera, i.e. 

 Selenipedimnjl'liragmapedium, 

 Cypripedium, and Paphiope- 

 diuin. Some go so far as to 

 correct the original authority 

 and alter "podium" to "pedi- 

 lum."' 



Hybrids. Several honored 

 hybrids have been raised, and 

 month by month the number 

 increases. Xo Orchids are 

 easier to raise from seed, and 

 one instance is recorded of 

 strong plants with leaves I.'," 

 long having been produced 

 within nine months of hybrid- 

 isation. Seedlings (lower earlv 

 as compared with other Or- 

 chids, and hybrids are often a 

 decided improvement upon the 

 parents in floriferousness and 

 ease of culture. Leeanum, 

 calurum, cardinale, harrisian- 

 um, Horgaoin, and Sedenii are 

 half a dozen splendid hybrids, 

 well deserving of culture even 

 where Orchids are not a speci- 

 ality. 



Cultural Points. As con- 

 siderable diversity of habit 

 exists among C'ypripediums, 

 the cultivator must exercise 

 judgment in providing recep- 

 tacles. Deep-rooting sorts need 

 deeper pots than the surface- 

 rooting ones. Ample drainage 

 is essential, and, as a general 

 rule, fibrous peat, a little 

 fibrous loam, and sphagnum- 

 form a suitable compost. The 

 bellatuhim group require little 

 rooting material, and they are 

 the only species that have a 



decided period of rest, and need hardly any water 

 during such period : a high stove temperature suits 

 them, and they delight in limestone rock placed 

 about their roots. Other tropical speeies are manage- 

 able in a winter temperature of 55 to t>0", rising 

 to 70" during the summer, and allowing an advance 

 of several degrees by sun heat. The best time to 

 divide, repot, or top-dress C'ypripediums is when 

 new growth commences, usually in early spring. 

 A humid atmosphere is essential at all time-, ami 

 most species are the better for a gentle syringing 

 during hot summer weather. A moderate amount 

 of shading in brilliant weather is beneficial, and 



ensures clean, bright leafage. A few species noted 

 below can be grown in a cool house, and very 

 many hybrids succeed admirably in the inter- 

 mediate house, especially those having a cool-house 

 species as one parent. 



Insect Enemies. If sponging is systematically 

 done, and the houses are occasionally fumigated 

 or vaporised, so much the better for the Cypripe- 

 diums, as it is not easy to eradicate scale or mealy 



Photo : Cassell & Company, Ltd. 



MoKOANI.H (see p. 270). 



bug when once these have ensconced themselves 

 in the leaf axils or round the rootstock. A humid 

 atmosphere will keep red spider in check. 



Hardy Section. All the hardy species are 

 terrestrial. A moist situation is essential. If a 

 compost has to be prepared, it should be com- 

 posed of equal pans of peat and flaky leat 

 soil, with sphagnum moss added if neccs-;,i\. 

 to ensure moisture. Division is the method of 

 increase, but it is desirable to disturb the plants 

 as little as possible. A spot sheltered from wind, 

 such as a bay in the rock garden, should be se- 

 lected as a homo for these Lady's Sliders, and 



