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Orchid ID: Paphiopedilum Maudiae Green

Paphiopedilum is by far one of my beloved orchids ever, and will always take a crown place in my collection. They are hassle free, don't require any special hot or cold temperatures or humidity.
They prefer shadier places and bit more moisture, and the flowers can last for weeks.
Paphiopedilum are divided into two cultural groups: the warm growing, more sun tolerant and with mottled leaves - like our famous Maudiae Green, and cold growing with plain leaves, preferring colder temperatures and more shade. Both types however require a bit colder nights for the flower buds to set but this isn't hard to achieve and a open window during the night should be suitable enough.



Paphiopedilum Maudiae Green is a beautiful, old hybrid that stood the test of time for more than 100 years, where others have passed and gone out of fashion, this cross of P. callosum and P. lawrenceanum is still one of the most desired orchids ever. When you look at it you can easily understand why, the contrast between the fresh green and pure white are very elegant and wild together. The flowers can last up to two months afterwards we still have the beautiful mottled foliage which is adorable and lovely on it's own.



Within the last decade there has been many hybridization attempts to perfect the old classic for more modern standards in example Paph. Bankhause "The Queen" from 1946 which is very similar to the original hybrid or Paph. Claire de Lune which is extremely expensive.
But in full honesty a pure cross is as beautiful as all of the other ones because there isn't a lot of difference in the appearance.



The best conditions for this orchids is to grow it out of direct sunlight, in a more shady location however some dose of late evening sun is allowed and will not do any harm. The potting mixture needs to be a mixture of coarse and water retaining as the plant requires a constant supply of moisture - but never constantly wet.
A mix of medium to low grade bark and chopped coconut husk with shredded seeds and other add on's like charcoal should do fine. Growing in sphagnum moss may cause the roots to rot because of too much water.



When fertilizing remember to use it every other week and then flush the potting mixture with fresh water to avoid accumulation of salts that will injure the roots.
When repotting try to snuggle it up in a pot one size smaller than usually, however i experienced a case I had to up a pot one size because the root system has grown so much to the sides that I would injure them by doing so.



You are in love and you want this orchid?
I'm not surprised!
The best place would be first to have a look in your nurseries, the look online in UK Ray Creek Orchids may have it (the used to), then look on eBay. Orchideen-Wichmann have a few variaties, Orchideen Rolke, Orchideen Schwerter.
Perhaps some other places too!

It's a orchid worth having!


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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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