Growing MN native orchids. (trees, planting, natural, maples)

[CatsPride]

I was looking online and I saw this company that lab grows lady slipper orchids for garden use. They get them past the stage in their lives when they need a fungus to survive. They are lab reared plants NOT taken from the wild. Its Called the Vermont Lady slipper company.

Anyone have any experience growing lady slippers? I know they are not easy plants. What do you have to do to the soil before planting?

[Boxter01]

Hmmm, I would imagine the culture for temperate terrestial orchids may apply here.

[kinkytoes]

I almost bought some but the ones I wanted apparently they liked 'basic' as in non-acidic soil, and mine's acidic. I did some research, and I recall that their needs were a little different from other orchids. The ones I considered are "cypripedium reginae" or Showy Lady's Slipper.

I would assume they naturally grow over limestone(?)...Apparently other orchids like acidic soil...If I were you, and I had a moist, humus-y area to plant the orchids, I'd have my soil tested.

Or you can do the "cheap" soil testing that I did. If you have pine trees and maples in a particular area and they look healthy, the soil there's probably acidic. If the PH works for your particular orchid, then go for it.