Hardy or in need of protection?

Winter hardy up to - 25 degrees - if there is no snow, things get tricky

The lady's slipper orchid favors a partially shaded one Locationthat has cool temperatures around freezing point for at least 2 months in the course of winter. Without this cold stimulus, the demanding beauty proves to be extremely lazy to flower. The orchid survives severe frosts of up to - 25 degrees Celsius only under a thick blanket of snow. If there is no snow, we recommend these protective measures:

• If there is a threat of freezing, cover the planting area in the bed with coniferous twigs or autumn leaves
• Ideally a breathable one Garden fleece Place it over the root disc and fix it on the sides with stones

It is less sub-zero temperatures that cause problems for a lady's slipper orchid. Rather, problems are caused by the repeated alternation between frost and thaw, combined with moisture. Against this background, a light coverage makes perfect sense, especially in regions with little snow.

How to save autumn shoots from frostbite

Under the influence of mild autumn and winter weather, Frauenschuh orchids sometimes feel motivated to sprout in late autumn or early winter. Shortening the nose-wise shoots is just as counterproductive as digging up the plant and hibernating it in the house. How to solve the problem without losing next year's bloom:

• Install a frost-proof plexiglass pane on supports above the planting site
• Set up the cover at a distance of 10 to 20 cm above the orchid
• In frost and blazing sunshine, spread the fir fronds on the pane for shade

This cover can be pulled out again in spring, when the ground frosts appear too late