The exotic slipper flower owes its name to its bright yellow, striking flowers. As enchanting houseplants, opulent Calceolaria hybrids have taken our hearts by storm. New varieties thrive beautifully in beds and on the balcony. Explore all the important aspects of successful cultivation here with well-founded answers to frequently asked questions.
How do I properly care for a slipper flower?
The slipper flower, an exotic plant, prefers a bright, partially shaded location. It requires humus-rich, well-drained, lime-free soil and regular watering with lime-free water. Fertilize every 8-10 days during flowering. Propagation is possible via seeds or cuttings.
Planting slipper flowers correctly
Don't plant the garden slipper flower in the bed until the ice saints have said goodbye in mid-May. Choose a spot in lime-free, humus-rich soil in a partially shaded, humid and rather cool location. First, soak the potted root ball in lime-free water until no more air bubbles appear. Meanwhile, dig out spacious planting holes at a distance of 20-30 cm to enrich the soil with leaf compost, horn shavings or ericaceous soil. Now plant the potted flowers so deep that the substrate reaches just below the bottom pair of leaves. Finally, water with soft water and spread a layer of mulch.
Care tips
The pivotal point of successful cultivation of slipper flowers is the choice of location. If all relevant framework conditions are met, the care program is limited to the following points:
- Keep the substrate evenly moist with lime-free water
- Spray leaves and flowers repeatedly with a fine mist of soft water
- During the growth and flowering period, fertilize liquidly every 8-10 days
- Fertilize the garden slipper flower in the bed every 14 days with acidic leaf compost and horn shavings
Withered flower stems are cleaned out regularly to ensure they bloom for months. Shortly before the end of one-year indoor Calceolaria, harvest the seeds or take cuttings for propagation. If you have overwintering in store for the garden slipper flower, cut the plant back by a maximum of two thirds and put it in the dark, cool cellar. Until next spring, water sparingly and do not apply any fertilizer. In April, repot the overwintered plant and gradually accustom it to more light and higher temperatures.read more
Which location is suitable?
All Calceolaria species prefer a bright, not full sun location with temperatures between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius. Even under ideal lighting conditions, these sensitive beauties cannot tolerate cold drafts, bad indoor air and certainly no tobacco smoke. The exotic plants feel best at home on the north window, on the semi-shaded to shady balcony and in the low-light, cool bed.
What soil does the plant need?
The slipper flower likes to extend its delicate roots in humus-rich, well-drained and primarily lime-free soil. In order to meet these requirements in indoor and pot culture, we recommend using ericaceous soil as a substrate. If you like to mix yourself, add 1 part garden soil and 1 part standard or azalea soil, 2 parts leaf compost and some lava granules.
When is flowering time?
The lush Calceolaria hybrids for indoor cultivation delight us with a winter flowering period from January to May. The plants then die. In contrast, the garden slipper flower (Calceolaria integrifolia) or the two-flowered slipper flower (Calceolaria biflora) show off in the bed and on the balcony from June to August/September. To ensure that the tropical flowers last over this long period of time, cut off withered flower stems as soon as possible, just above the next bud.read more
Cut the slipper flower correctly
A slipper flower cultivated as an annual should be cleaned regularly to make room for new flowers. Place the sharp, disinfected scissors just above the nearest bud. If overwintering is planned, cut the plant back by half to two thirds before putting it away. Furthermore, no cutting measures are required.
Watering slipper flower
During the growth and flowering period, water the slipper flower evenly with soft water. Be sure to avoid overhead watering to avoid damaging the delicate flowers. The beautiful flowers are extremely grateful for a very fine spray of filtered rainwater.
Fertilize the slipper flower properly
The nutrient reserves in pots and flower boxes are quickly used up. Therefore, fertilize the slipper flower every 8-10 days during its growth and flowering period with a liquid, low-lime preparation (€14.00 on Amazon). In the bed, the exotic grace happily accepts a portion of leaf compost with horn shavings every 14 days.
Wintering
Native to the sun-drenched regions of South America, a slipper flower lacks any winter hardiness. As a result, the exotic plant is mostly cultivated as an annual in our regions, especially since it is quite inexpensive to purchase. Robust species such as the garden slipper flower (Calceolaria integrifolia) have the potential to overwinter. Place the cut plants in the bright, cool basement. Water occasionally without applying fertilizer.
Propagate slipper flower
At the end of its flowering period, the slipper flower presents us with small capsule fruits, full of fine seeds. The seeds obtained can be sown between December and February. Do not cover the light germinators with substrate and ideally place the seed containers in a heated indoor greenhouse. Keep the soil slightly moist at a constant 18 degrees Celsius. Following germination, the temperature is reduced to 12-14 degrees Celsius. Prick the strongest seedlings into individual pots if they have at least 2 pairs of leaves. Of course, we can only look forward to the first flowering of seedling-propagated slipper flowers the following year.
Propagation is easier using cuttings. To do this, cut off 5-7 cm short, non-flowering side shoots during the flowering period and defoliate them in the lower part. Care for the Calceolaria in small pots with a lean substrate on the partially shaded windowsill at 14-18 degrees Celsius.
Slipper flower in a pot
On the flower bench in the north or west window, the tropical slipper flower conjures up a bright floral bloom in the middle of the cold season. Cultivation in the pot goes smoothly if you take the following measures into account:
- Use a slightly acidic, loose and nutrient-rich substrate, such as azalea or ericaceous soil
- A potsherd above the opening in the floor effectively prevents waterlogging
- Water the slipper flower evenly and spray regularly with lime-free water
- Fertilize liquidly every 8-10 days from January to May
Clean out wilted flower stems consistently so that the plant does not have to deal with the energy-sapping seed growth. At the end of their flowering period, the opulent Calceolaria breathe out their floral life and are disposed of.
Is slipper flower poisonous?
The slipper flower is almost certainly not poisonous. Since there is currently a lack of scientifically sound knowledge in this regard, we still advise against using the pretty flowers to decorate food and drinks or to consume them.read more
Beautiful varieties
- Gold Bouquet: An innovative new breed with golden yellow flowers that impresses in the bed and on the balcony; 20-25cm
- Goldari: Valuable F1 hybrid, robust, richly flowering in bright yellow; ideal for flower borders and the balcony; 30cm
- Goldcap: The dwarf variety impresses with yellow, red-dotted flowers and a compact habit; 10-15cm
- Sunset Orange Bicolor: Premium variety with yellow-orange spotted, large flowers for beds, balconies and windowsills; 25-30cm