Cypripedium tibeticum

Cypripedium tibeticum is a very cold-resistant Venus Slipper. This terrestrial orchid, native to the Himalayas, produces flowers of variable colour depending on its regions of origin. Those of the selection we offer are made up of long sepals and petals striped with cream, dominating a prominent petal (the labellum) dark purple to brown which gives it the name Venus Slipper. Where it thrives, in partial shade, in moist and light soil, it can form large colonies. Like many orchids, it is very easy to grow as long as its habitat is faithfully recreated.

Cypripedium tibeticum is a perennial, terrestrial herbaceous orchid, native to southwestern China and adjacent areas of northern India and Bhutan. It is generally found in meadows, forest edges, and bushy slopes in high mountains. This species often grows on travertine formations, a limestone rock. Like all orchids, it belongs to the Orchidaceae family.

This plant develops from a fleshy, weakly creeping rhizome. The deciduous foliage emerges in spring, forming a tuft of large, bright green leaves with a bluish tinge, oval to elliptical, with very pronounced parallel veins. In nature, it can reach up to 50cm (20in) in height. In our climates, it will reach 25 to 35cm (10 to 14in) in height. The floral stem emerges in May-June, directly from the rhizome, it is thick, glabrous and can reach a height of 30-35cm (12-14in). Each stem bears up to 4 elliptical to almost oval, pubescent leaves, bright green with a bluish tinge. This flower is very variable in size and colour in nature. Its essential characteristics lie in a swollen labellum with an undulated surface, dark purple, strongly tinged with violet brown. The sepals and petals are also striped with purple, on a white to cream background. The base of the petals is pubescent, the ovary glabrous. Each stem generally bears a solitary flower approximately 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in diameter, rarely two. During winter, the foliage disappears and the plant persists in the form of a rhizome.

Cypripedium tibeticum is a very hardy mountain perennial. It grows on forest edges, in partial shade, in light, humus-rich soils, on a neutral to alkaline (calcareous) subsoil. Plant it also in shade, in a cool rockery, between rocks or at the edge of a cool understory, in the company of Arisaema, Calanthe, Paris, Bletilla, and ferns. In general, Cypripediums thrive in soil poor in organic matter and well-draining (expanded clay granules, perlite, or lava stone). Ideally, the soil should not dry out during the summer but should be sufficiently draining to avoid excess water during the winter.

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