Re: Lady Slippers
- Subject: Re: Lady Slippers
- From: M*@aol.com
- Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2003 13:31:36 EST
In a message dated 4/1/2003 8:39:48 AM Central Standard Time,
logicpilot@worldnet.att.net writes:
> Can they be raised from seed?
>
Yes is the answer. But its the same answer to the question "Can I walk on
the moon" Yes the that question too.
The lady slippers can easily be raised from seeds using tissue culture, did
it in Collage, have to use a medium with amino acids and a full compliment of
trace elements. Thus have to have good sterile technique and very clean
conditions -- namely a good laminar air flow hood.
In the wild-the seeds fall to the ground and a fungus finds them (the same
one that cause damping off of garden seedlings) The fungus and seeds join
together and form a loose partnership. After two to five years in the soil
the seeds germinate, forming a below ground structure called a protocorm
after 2-6 years of below ground growth the seedling emerge as small plants,
then after 4-12 years of good growth they will flower. They are long lived
plants and the same plant can flower for 50 years.
I collect seeds every year form my plants and have been scattering them
around the woods-no sign of new plants yet (but its only been 15 years for
the large yellows and four years for the small yellows) .
I fertilize my plants now on a regular bases, they have done so much better
as a result.
I use a foliar spray of a product like Miracle Grow (its a commercial type
in a fifty pound bag) , with trace elements, Its mixed up pretty strongly
(3-4 table spoons in a 8 gallon tank) and applied once or twice a week until
late fall (I like to fertilize the perennials until they turn yellow or brown
in the fall)
Paul
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