Paphiopedilum

Family. Orchidaceae.

Origin. Asia - Thailand and the Philippines. 

Description. Paphiopedilum or lady's slipper is a small genus of orchids consisting of approximately 80 species of evergreen, epiphytic, lithophytic or terrestrial orchids that do not have pseudobulbs. The leaves are green, narrow, sword-shaped, with a pronounced central longitudinal vein, up to 30 cm long, gracefully curved. The peduncles are tall - from 20 to 45 cm, leafless, appearing from the center of the leaf rosette. The flowers are large - up to 15 cm in diameter, with a bag-like lip, of very varied colors - from white to pink, burgundy, purple, brown, greenish and yellow. Mature plants can form several flower stalks at once.

Height. Usually does not exceed 30–40 cm.

Caring at home

When it blooms 

Spring is summer, but it can occur at other times of the year depending on the variety and conditions. Flowering is very long, each flower can remain open for 2 - 3 months. 

Soil

A standard orchid mix containing sphagnum moss, fern fibers, pine bark, small pieces of charcoal, perlite, vermiculite or coarse sand to improve drainage. The soil must be air and moisture permeable. Pine bark placed on the bottom of the pot can act as a drainage layer here. 

Transplant 

Paphiopedilum is replanted immediately after flowering, when the plant becomes cramped in the pot or the soil needs to be changed to fresh. Try to choose a pot one size larger - in slightly cramped conditions, flowering will be more abundant. Place the bush in a new pot at the same depth at which it was in the previous container. Do not replant flowering specimens - they can suffer for a long time after such a procedure. After planting, provide a period of rest - put the pot in a semi-dark place without watering for 4 - 5 days.

Watering

During the growing season, water generously, completely soaking the earthen ball. During spring and summer, it is advisable to use bottom watering, immersing the pot with the plant in warm water for several minutes and removing excess moisture. Between waterings, the soil should dry to a depth of about 5 cm. During the dormant period, which begins immediately after flowering and lasts about 2 months, watering should become economical - the soil is dried to about half the depth. For watering, use only softened rain or bottled water.

Growing 

Paphiopedilums have gained wide popularity due to their relative ease of care and beautiful and long flowering. Remove wilting buds in a timely manner to stimulate the appearance of new flowers. Tall peduncles have difficulty carrying large flowers - support them with a small support.

Conditions - temperature

Temperature conditions depend on the specific species. Bushes with green leaves prefer moderately warm conditions with a temperature of about 18 °C during the growing season. Variegated species require higher temperatures - about 25 - 28 °C during the day. All orchids should be provided with a daily temperature difference with a decrease of 5 - 7 °C at night. At high temperatures, air humidity and frequency of watering should be increased. In winter months, do not expose to temperatures below 12 °C.

Reproduction

Dividing large plants when transplanting. 

Diseases and pests 

The tips of the plant's leaves turn yellow and dry out when there is insufficient air humidity. Too frequent watering and insufficient drainage can lead to root rot. Paphiopedilum does not bloom in low light.

Among the harmful insects that attack the plant you can find aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and scale insects. When kept outdoors, the flower can be attacked by slugs and snails.

Lighting

Representatives of this genus do not tolerate direct sunlight, but their location should have enough reflected sunlight. In autumn and winter, when natural light is insufficient, artificial lighting can be used with fluorescent lamps.

Feeding

During the period of active growth, feed 2 times a month with fertilizers specially designed for orchids with a high content of phosphorus and potassium, diluting them to half the recommended dose. Too concentrated a solution can damage delicate roots. Stop feeding during the dormant period. Plants will appreciate organic fertilizers.

Spraying

High air humidity is very important for orchids. Place the plant on a tray of damp pebbles to increase humidity, or use a room humidifier. Make sure the bottom of the plant pot is above the water level in the tray. Daily spraying can be done with soft water at room temperature, being careful not to get it on the flowers and buds. Good air movement allows stagnant water to evaporate more quickly, but do not expose paphiopedilum to cold drafts. Do not place the flower near heating sources in the cold season - this greatly shortens the flowering time. 

Purpose

The bushes look very impressive in hanging baskets. By planting several species that bloom at different times of the year in one pot, you will get colorful flowers for most of the year. Cut flowers can remain attractive in a vase of water for 2-4 weeks.

Varieties

Paphiopedilum concolor

Very delicate, compact orchids with thick, fleshy, belt-shaped leaves of a dark green color, 10 - 16 cm long. The leaf blades have small light green specks on the surface. Peduncles are short, strong, abundantly pubescent, up to 10 cm high. Each peduncle can bear 1 - 3 delicate buds. The flowers reach a diameter of 5 - 8 cm, have yellowish, pink or cream petals, with small brown or burgundy freckles on the surface. The lip is rounded, reminiscent of a woman's slipper. 

Paphiopedilum delenatii

Delicate, blooming orchids with oblong-lanceolate, thick leaves, painted in a dark green hue. The leaf blades are entire and may have small light green specks on the surface. The flower stalks are leafless, abundantly pubescent, vertical, reaching a height of 30 - 40 cm. Each plant is capable of producing several flower stalks, on the tops of which there are 1 - 3 large, fragrant flowers. The flower petals are painted white or slightly pinkish, the lip can be lilac, purple or burgundy. During the flowering period, flower stalks need support.

Paphiopedilum micranthum

An orchid with thick, juicy, fleshy leaves arranged oppositely. The leaf blades are entire, dark green, with light green specks on the surface, up to 15 cm long. Each plant produces a tall, leafless, pubescent, slightly curved peduncle at the top with a single, showy flower. The flowers reach 10 cm in diameter, the petals can be painted in white, pinkish, lilac, lemon yellow, orange or burgundy shades. On the surface of the petals there is a mesh of dark, thin stripes. The flowers have very large lips. 

Paphiopedilum bellatulum

Blooming compact orchid with 4 - 5 thick, succulent dark green leaves. Leaf blades up to 15 cm long and about 5 cm wide are covered with small light specks. Peduncles are short, strong, pubescent. Flowers with white or pinkish petals speckled with burgundy and reach a diameter of 6 cm. 

Paphiopedilum Maudiae​​

Low orchids with plain or spotted green oblong-oval leaves. The leaf blades are thick and entire. The peduncles are erect, leafless, reach a height of 30 cm, each bears a single flower at the top, which remains attractive for 2 months. The flowers are painted in a greenish-white or pinkish-burgundy hue, reaching a diameter of 10 - 12 cm. The lip is often monochromatic, while the petals have longitudinal thin stripes of a dark color.

Paphiopedilum niveum

Compact plants up to 25 cm high with oblong oval dark green leaves with light speckles. The leaf blades reach 15 cm in length and 3.5 cm in width. Peduncles are thin, erect or slightly curved at the apex, pubescent. Each peduncle has 1 flower with wide white or pinkish petals. The diameter of the flowers can be 6 - 8 cm. The petals often have tiny burgundy specks - freckles on the surface. 

Paphiopedilum rothschildianum

Tall orchids, reaching 75 cm in height. The leaves are green, glossy, long, belt-shaped. The leaf blades are entire, up to 40 - 60 cm long and about 5 cm wide, slightly bent along the central vein. Peduncles are thin, vertical, pubescent, and may require support. Each peduncle is capable of bearing 2 - 4 large, showy flowers. The flower petals are narrow, yellowish, pale pink or white, with thin brown or burgundy stripes. The lip is often plain - burgundy or brown.  

Paphiopedilum Lippewunder

A showy hybrid with glossy, green, strap-shaped leaves, often arching gracefully. The leaf blades are entire, slightly bent along the central vein. Peduncles are erect, thin, often need support, each bears a single flower. The flowers are large - reaching a diameter of 20 cm, have wide petals, painted in a greenish-yellow hue with brown spots and stripes.