These flowers are considered by many people to be either bizzare and repulsive or exotic and beautiful, some are even surprised to learn that Paphiopedilum are orchids at all.
Often called the Venus slipper or Lady slipper orchids they share many features in common with carnivorous plants that have also evolved to attract insects.
The genus is native to Asia and New Guinea, and compromises of 80 agreed by taxonomist species and dozens of natural and man created hybrids.
The genus was described and named by Ernst Hugo Heinrich Pfitzer in 1886 who was a German specialist in taxonomy of Orchids.
Oddly enough Paphiopedilum are the most widely and hybridized of orchid genera. Some of them come in striking bright colours some have such dark shades they appear black, maudiae type Paphs have beautiful mottled leaves which are a decoration themselves.
Often called the Venus slipper or Lady slipper orchids they share many features in common with carnivorous plants that have also evolved to attract insects.
The genus is native to Asia and New Guinea, and compromises of 80 agreed by taxonomist species and dozens of natural and man created hybrids.
The genus was described and named by Ernst Hugo Heinrich Pfitzer in 1886 who was a German specialist in taxonomy of Orchids.
Oddly enough Paphiopedilum are the most widely and hybridized of orchid genera. Some of them come in striking bright colours some have such dark shades they appear black, maudiae type Paphs have beautiful mottled leaves which are a decoration themselves.
Care:
Paphiopedilum normally grow in the low parts of the forests and jungles in semi shade and require less light than some of the other orchids normally grown at home. Also they generally prefer slightly cooler conditions with good air circulation to the medium they are grown in, thus they tend to dislike centrally heated rooms, if you don't have any other option try moving them away from the heater not to dry them out to much. Since they grow on the forest floor they prefer a more moist environment and don't like to be kept dry for too long, especially since they don't have pseudo-bulbs just like Oncidium orchids or Phals to keep water supplies and they have a relatively small root system. Nevertheless moist doesn't mean soggy or standing water as this will induce rotting. They prefer a shady position, with just a few hours of either morning or afternoon light that won't burn the plants leafs.
As they prefer aerated medium it's best to mix the bark with other ingredients like lava rocks, perlite or like in my case hydroton clay balls which work brilliantly. Make sure not to over pot as they like snug conditions and need to be planted in firmly. Don't compact the compost and try to avoid pushing it with your fingers to firm it up.
When fertilizing, depending on the type of Phaps use a nitrogen hight following the instructions on the bottle, once a month or every other week to avoid root burn.
Blooming:
As the plant grows bigger ans stronger it will eventually send out a spike, this of course may take time. Paphs don't have a set up bloom time and this can vary from different hybrids and species down to your own environment and the size of the plant. Some variates take very long time to develop into bloom, and even then when they start to grow a spike it may take weeks if not months for the flower to finally open.
The flower spikes should be trained up with a support as they develop to produce a nice straight stem. As the flower bud will open, add a further tie just behind the flower to lift it up to present itself best. Depending on the variety Phals can bloom sequentially so till you are absolutely sure the spike is not black, dry and dead don't cut it as your plant may surprise you with new blooms.
Advice:
Paphiopedilum like to be pampered, so from time to time take a damp cloth and clean their leafs from both sides. This will remove the dust and also any possible creatures of their surface. Make sure to give your plants some room as they like a good air circulation, a room fan can help with that.
I want a Paphiopedilum Orchid, what now?
Although Paphs are the most wide spread in cultivation to actually get them may be a slight problem. You won't experience them in any big local supermarkets, especially not in UK, but try your local nurseries. There are some good websites like Ray Creek Orchids or McBeans Orchids where you can find some examples, but also don't be afraid to look outside the borders. Dutch and German offer a lot of beautiful flowers and their delivery is fast enough not to cause any damage to the plant. Rollke Orchideen or Orchideen-Wichmann have some beautiful Paps in their stock.
And If you are anytime in London, make sure to go to Kew Gardens you can the orchids there in simulated environment and buy one in the Garden Shops.
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Some pictures presented in this article may not belong to me and are a property of their respectable owners.
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