Lady's Slipper Orchid Seed: Extremely Difficult to Germinate

Lady's slipper orchids (Cypripedium spp.) require specific mycorrhizal fungi for seed germination. One method uses woodland soil and sugar, but success is rare. Most propagation is by division.

If You Try Seed

• Collect ripe pods in fall.
• Sow on sterile medium with woodland soil inoculum.
• Maintain high humidity, low light, cool temperatures.
• Expect years to flowering—if any germinate.

Enjoy your wild colony; leave propagation to specialists.

Lady's slipper orchid—beautiful but nearly impossible from seed.