Other Names:  Ladyslipper Orchid, Moccasin Flower

Description:

Exquisite and unusual, this wild orchid is distinguished by its white-pink pouch and interesting fuchsia-red spots; buy laboratory propagated plants, do not ever transplant; extremely slow growing and an endangered native plant

Features & Attributes

Ulla Silkens Lady's Slipper features unusual spikes of white orchid-like flowers with fuchsia spots at the ends of the stems from late spring to early summer. Its heart-shaped leaves remain lime green in colour throughout the year.

This is an open herbaceous houseplant with an upright spreading habit of growth. This plant may benefit from an occasional pruning to look its best.

Planting & Growing

When grown indoors, Ulla Silkens Lady's Slipper can be expected to grow to be about 12 inches tall at maturity extending to 18 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 15 years. This houseplant should be situated in a location that that gets indirect sunlight at most, although it will usually require a more brightly-lit environment than what artificial indoor lighting alone can provide. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth, but will suffer if left to grow in standing water. The surface of the soil shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely, and so you should expect to water this plant once and possibly even twice each week. Be aware that your particular watering schedule may vary depending on its location in the room, the pot size, plant size and other conditions; if in doubt, ask one of our experts in the store for advice. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in rich soil. Contact the store for specific recommendations on pre-mixed potting soil for this plant.

There are many factors that will affect the ultimate height, spread and overall performance of a plant when grown indoors; among them, the size of the pot it's growing in, the amount of light it receives, watering frequency, the pruning regimen and repotting schedule. Use the information described here as a guideline only; individual performance can and will vary. Please contact the store to speak with one of our experts if you are interested in further details concerning recommendations on pot size, watering, pruning, repotting, etc.