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Category: House and Home Plants | Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:23 pm

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In February I had found one of my lady slipper orchids had roots that had rotted out. Found out when the plants began to bloom and the blooms faded before opening. Very disappointing. Upon further inspection the bark/soil had decomposed into a compacted substance unfit for the lady slippers. I tossed the remaining plants into a plastic Ziploc bag with some moist bark in the bottom for safe keeping.

I had my eye out for a bonsai container for this variety of orchid. Bonsai containers with a wide surface area and multiple holes in the bottom for root to air circulation have worked well for me over the years. (I gave two away to my son with plants in them so had attempted to use a few other types of containers.) In recent years, one of the criteria for pots in my little house is that they can sit in the window sill or a narrow table top by the window. This really limits the pots I buy. It also limits the size of the plants that I buy (in most cases :)).

The bonsai pots have provided a great environment for the lady slipper orchid. The plants had been successfully blooming several times a year. Unfortunately these containers can be expensive, so until last week had not found anything I liked in the price point I was willing to pay. Then I struck pay dirt! Five dollars apiece in a few designs I liked. I got three. Two went into immediate use.


mini terrariums for lady slippers until they get their feet planted ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )

One plant has developed a nice thick root and the others have root buds developing. The temperatures in the house haven't' been as warm as the plant would prefer, but hopefully roots will develop soon. The plastic bags aren't that attractive.

My other lady slipper, a dark blooming variety has a pair of blooms at the moment. It too should probably be repotted. I will wait until after the blooms fade. Then it too will get new bark/soil.


Double blooms on the ladyslipper ( photo / image / picture from Jewell's Garden )






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featherphobia wrote on Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:43 pm:

They are so lucky you know what to do to get them to regrow roots, I've tried them before with no luck. How often do you fertilize?

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Jewell wrote on Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:08 pm:

Thanks, FP.

Seldom do I fertile and then only with orchid fertilizer at partial strength in water. I've found the leaves get huge if you fertlize. I am trying to keep mine at a size I have room for. lol

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Sjoerd wrote on Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:32 am:

Wonderful stuff, this.

Congrats on your project. I can't wait to see them in their permanent place.They look really good.

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cherylad wrote on Wed Apr 04, 2012 2:37 am:

You make it look and sound so easy!

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Jewell wrote on Wed Apr 04, 2012 2:43 am:

Thanks Sjoerd.
Cherylad, guess they either thrive or die...sometimes they do both. lol Gardening for me is more luck than skill.

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Tooty2shoes wrote on Fri Jul 06, 2012 1:43 pm:

Wow those are such beautiful blossoms. I love the color. You must have a green hand not just a green thumb.

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