94 



CYPRIPEDTUMS OR LADY SLIPPERS. 



end of October, and during this time it is safe to say 

 they cannot be over-watered; but at no time should they 

 become dry. The list given above include some very 

 remarkable kinds, but many others could be named. 

 They are all very distinct from each other, and include 

 some of the best and prettiest kinds in cultivation. 



If the whole set is grown, there will often be five or 

 six species in flower at the same time, and very rarely 

 less than two or three. 



If about five plants of each kind are grown, the flow- 

 ering season will be greatly prolonged, and more will be 



in flower at once. Carefully shade the plants from the 

 sun, and during summer sprinkle the stages and paths 

 frequently. 



It must be understood that one plant often flowers a 

 month or more after another of the same species. The 

 flowers of cypripedium are very lasting, often remain- 

 ing in perfection four or five weeks on the plant; and 

 they remain fresh two or three weeks, even after being 

 cut. H. Clinkaberry. 



Penna, 



CYPRIPEDIUMS OR LADY SLIPPERS. 



VPRIPEDIUM is one of the most 

 distinct genera of the whole 

 orchid family, considered 

 either from a botanical or hor- 

 ticultural standpoint. The 

 beautiful foliage that some of 

 the " cypreds " have, such as 

 Cypi'ipe d i it m Lawrtniceaniiin, 

 Hookcra:, Dayaiiuni and Javan- 

 icjiin, is so finely variegated 

 and mottled that we have 

 nothing in our fancy foliage 

 plants to compare with them. 

 The flowers themselves, odd in 

 shape and color, and lasting 

 in cjnality, are remarkable. Some of them, such as 

 C. Ntirrisiaiiiu/!, insignc, villosuni and Boxalli, and 

 others, will last from eight to twelve weeks on the 

 plant, and from four to five weeks after being cut. 

 The flowering season extends through the whole 

 year, which is a good recommendation, as we find 

 few single genera that will furnish flowers the year 

 round. 



In cypripediums we have over 400 different species, 

 varieties and hybrids, and there is every gradation 

 from the small and neat C. Fairicanuni, Sclilimii and 

 Pearcii to the large and showy C. Lazvrenccaninii, frrandc 

 and Schrodenv to suit the taste of all. Besides numer- 

 ous natural species, we have also many hybrids, in fact, 

 we have more hybrids than species. 



The first hybrid cypripedium (C. Harrisianutii') was 

 raised by Mr. Dominy on suggestion of Dr. Harris, in 

 whose honor it was afterwards named. This was over 

 25 years ago, and still C. Harrisianmn is considered one 

 of the best free-flowering cypripediums. 



The culture of this genus is the simplest of all the 

 orchid family. It differs greatly from other orchids in 

 one respect, namely, the resting season. A certain 

 amount of rest is required for cypripediums, but not as 

 much as any other orchidaceous plants. 



The hardy kinds, such as C acaulc, parvijioruin , 

 piiliL-SLeus and others, do best planted out in cold-frames 



filled with turfy loam, leaf-mould and peat. In the 

 winter the frames should be protected from the hardest 

 frost, and in the summer partly shaded from the burn- 

 ing sun. Hardy cypripediums can also be grown in 

 pots or pans filled with the same material, and used for 

 planting out, the pots being plunged in the ground, but 

 they do not do as well as when planted in the cold- 

 frame, where, if properly treated, they grow into fine 

 clumps and make a fine show when in bloom. 



The evergreen cypripediums we may divide into two 

 sections, the first section including C. Lawrenieann7n, 

 barhatuin, Hookercv, Javanicitm and others, does better on 

 the shady side of the house, while C. Boxalli, insigne 

 -iiilloniiii, Harrisianuni and others stand more sun. 



Potting should be done after the plant is through 

 flowering, but with little care it can be potted at any 

 time of the year. The best material for potting is 

 fibrous peat, clean sphagnum moss and clean potshreds. 

 The pots should be clean and well-drained, and only 

 clean material used. The plants should be potted 

 firmly, a little elevated above the rim of the pots, so as 

 to prevent the water lodging around the heart of the 

 plant. Cypripediums can be best grown in low houses, 

 so that the plants may be near the glass, and shaded 

 only from the burning sun. The rest of the time they 

 may enjoy full light and little sunshine, and if so 

 treated, they will make good sturdy growths and flower 

 much better than if kept shaded all the time. The 

 temperature should not be below 50° nor above 75°, with 

 artificial heat. Top and bottom ventilation should be 

 given to keep the air fresh summer and winter. The 

 plants should be looked over every morning, and those 

 that are dry watered. If good weather, a light syring- 

 ing will benefit them, but this should be done after the 

 ventilation is given, so that the water will not lie in the 

 hearts of some plants, especially those with the thick 

 leaves. 



Beginners starting collections of cypripediums are 

 advised to begin with such varieties they could manage 

 with ease, and which do not require so much care. 

 They are Cypripcdiutii insigne, l>arhatnin, Boxalli, villo- 

 suni, Harrisianuni , Sedenii, liirsiilissiniuni, Laiorence- 

 aiiiiiii, Doniinianum, argus, Spiicrianuni and vcnusluni . 



New Jersey. Jos. Manda, Jr. 



