Cypripedium Aki - Lady Slipper Orchid

The Cypripedium 'Aki' is a Lady's Slipper resulting from cross-breeding three botanical species. Its large flower has a big swollen pouch, the labellum, of pale yellow color, topped with yellow to chartreuse green twisted petals, both streaked with dark pink to red veins. The plant is vigorous and heat tolerant. Where it thrives, in partial shade, in moist to wet and well-drained soil, light and airy, it shows its generosity.

The Cypripedium 'Aki' belongs to the orchid family. It is a hybrid resulting from a triple cross-breeding between the Cypripedium fasciolatum on one hand and the cross-breeding between C. pubescens and C. macranthos on the other hand. The Cypripedium fasciolatum is native to the mountainous province of Sichuan in China and is very rare in its natural state. The C. pubescens is the most common species in the United States and is present in all states. The C. macranthos is found in the undergrowth and fields in Siberia, Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan.

From spring, the Cypripedium 'Aki' forms a clump of large bright green leaves ovate to elliptical, with very pronounced parallel veins. In nature, it can reach up to 60 cm in height. It will reach a height of 40 to 50 cm in our climate. The flowering occurs in early summer when the plant is at least 4 or 5 years old. The floral stem, solid and robust, measuring between 30 and 40 cm in height, develops directly from a very large cylindrical rootstock. It is provided with leaves up to the top. Alternating and distributed along these tall stems, one or two flowers rarely appear 3 or 4. They have the characteristic shape of lady's slipper flowers and measure 8 to 10 cm in diameter. They are quite variable, more or less yellow and more or less spotted with pink-red. They are composed of sepals and petals of yellow to chartreuse green colour streaked and spotted with pink-red, dominating an imposing labellum in the shape of a 'slipper', very swollen, of a pale yellow colour also spotted with pink-red. Note that the entire vegetation is covered with a fine down that can be allergenic and irritating to the skin. These urticating hairs are hosts to a fungus. During winter, the foliage disappears, and the plant remains a rootstock.

The Cypripedium 'Aki' is a perfectly hardy variety that multiplies rapidly in pots and the garden as long as the conditions suit it. It is happiest in forest edges, preferring light soil that retains some moisture without being saturated with water. Plant it also in a place benefiting from the not-too-intense shade, in a cool rockery, an ideal habitat that allows it to thrive and beautify your garden with its unique presence. Accompany it with a simple fern-like Polypodium vulgare with Trilliums and Lamium orval flowering. It also thrives in pots in an unheated greenhouse. It is a plant that dislikes heat, drought, and strong winds.

When you receive your orchids, handle them with care: these plants produce few roots and are delicate!