Grow and care Paphiopedilum Orchid - Venus Slipper

This is a very special type of flower, which looks like a female slipper, so they are also called Lady's slipper or slipper orchid. Paphiopedilum can be divided into two groups: the group of spotted leaves growing in cool conditions is very easy to grow and green leafy groups grow in cooler conditions.

Paphiopedilum Orchid belongs to Cypripedioideae subfamily, Orchidaceae family. The orchid is native to the Far East and Indonesia. They can grow on humus, on other materials in the forest canopy, on cliff slopes.

This genus has about 80 species. Most of them are easy to grow and easy to bloom indoors, under lights, windows or in greenhouses, which are suitable for beginner. Under the right conditions, flowers can bloom twice or more in a year. This is a very special type of flower, which looks like a female slipper, so they are also called Lady's slipper or slipper orchid. Paphiopedilum can be divided into two groups: the group of spotted leaves growing in cool conditions is very easy to grow and green leafy groups grow in cooler conditions. Flowers are wax-like, with petal shaped like a bag and have a bell on the back. Flowers have a variety of colors, long lasting, which can last for several weeks.

Grow and care Paphiopedilum Orchid - Venus Slipper

IDENTIFY PAPHIOPEDILUM ORCHID - VENUS SLIPPER

The genus name Paphiopedilum was established by Ernst Hugo Heinrich Pfitzer in 1886; it is derived from Paphos (a city in Cyprus, a place sacred to Aphrodite. It was said she landed at the site when rose from the sea as her birth.) and Ancient Greek pedilon "slipper". Ironically, no paphiopedilum occurs on Cyprus – at least not as the genus is understood today. But it was long mixed up with its Holarctic relative Cypripedium, which indeed grows in the Mediterranean region. Paphiopedilum was finally decided to be a valid taxon in 1959, but its use has become restricted to eastern Asian species in our time.

Paphiopedilum species naturally occur among humus layers as terrestrials on the forest floor, while a few are true epiphytes and some are lithophytes. These sympodial orchids lack pseudobulbs. Instead, they grow robust shoots, each with several leaves; some are hemicryptophytes. The leaves can be short and rounded or long and narrow, and typically have a mottled pattern. When older shoots die, newer ones take over. Each new shoot only blooms once when it is fully grown, producing a raceme between the fleshy, succulent leaves. The roots are thick and fleshy. Potted plants form a tight lump of roots that, when untangled, can be up to 1 m long.

GROW AND CARE PAPHIOPEDILUM ORCHID - VENUS SLIPPER

The leaves of Paphiopedilum orchid grow into pairs from the root of the plant. P;ants keep these leaves for many years and grow into a large cluster. They do not have pseudobulbs so they can not store water and nutrients. For this reason, Paphiopedilum has no rest seasons or too dry, although most orchids require good drainage.

Paphiopedilum orchids can be grown from seedlings to mature or divided from mature plants. Plants that live in cold climates often have green leaves, while plants that grow in warmer areas have usually striped leaves, which makes them attractive even when they are not flower.

Most species of Paphiopedilum orchids live on the ground, which means that they are planted in the soil, some clinging to the bark and in the rock niches. Paphiopedilum are relatively easy to grow and their flowers last from 8 to 10 weeks, even when cutting flower bouquet they also last a few weeks. Most varieties of Venus Slipper are very diverse in size and color of flowers.

1. Temperature for grow and care Paphiopedilum Orchid - Venus Slipper

Paphiopedilum Orchid are divided into two main groups, according to the general rule, the green leafy trees often prefer to live in cold to medium temperature, night from 13-16 degrees C, day 18-24 degrees C. Paphiopedilum with striped leaves suitable for medium to warm temperatures, night 16-18 degrees Celsius, daytime 21-25 degrees Celsius.

Paphiopedilum is divided into two types of temperature: Warm for mottled leaves species require over 85 ° F (29.4 ° C) for daytime and over 60 ° F (15.6 ° C) for night, Cold for green leaves without pots species require below 80 ° F (26.7 ° C) for daytime and below 60 ° F for night. But many in California can grow both types of the same temperature. In winter, Paphiopedilum Orchid can withstand cold temperatures of up to 40 ° F (4.4 ° C), as long as there is no freezing or water on the leaves. In summer, when over 95 ° F (35 ° C), it should be humid and airy

2. Light for grow and care Paphiopedilum Orchid

Paphiopedilum orchids do not need full sun. Like others indoor plants, they are usually good in good light conditions, especially in winter. If they are grown in a greenhouse they require half the conditions, direct sunlight throughout the summer will be too strong. If the light level is too low, the plants will not flower and too much light can cause leaf yellowing and burning.

Paphiopedilum orchids do not need much light, so proper planting in the shade or in the house near the window or under the light of four tube lights is sufficient. The orchid needs about 1000-1500 lm, like Phalaenopsis or Masdevallia.

3. Watering Paphiopedilum Orchid

Plants need to be watered all year round, 5-7 days irrigated once in summer and once a week in winter. It is important that the plants are kept moist but not stagnant. All species of Paphiopedilum orchids have no water storage and nutrition, so if too dry, the roots may be damaged. Always water the plants from the top of the pot and never allow them to flooded. Clean rain water is appropriate, but you can use filtered water.

CAUTION: Never leave the plant submerged or waterlogged. The roots will rot and cause death.

4. Fertilizer Paphiopedilum Orchid

When applying fertilizer to plants, it is important to ensure that the principle is regular and diluted. Apply fertilizer every two weeks in the spring and summer, once every 4 weeks in the fall and winter.

Fertilizer should be applied to the plant with 30-10-10 fertilizer, diluted, ¼ teaspoon per week in summer and once a month in winter. Each month to flush the water once to prevent the salt from standing in the pot.

5. Humidity for grow and care Paphiopedilum Orchid

Good humidity and circulation are essential, especially in the summer, reducing the risk of fungal infections and keeping plants from drying out too quickly. Moisture can be raised by placing the plant on top of the lightweight gravel trays with 50% moisture content.

Indoors should put pots on the tray or dish of water with gravel or wood inside, avoid soaking pots in water.

6. Repot Paphiopedilum Orchid

Paphiopedilum hybrids are often repotted annually, preferably in the spring. Orchids are almost unaffected by repotting, even repotting when plants have buds as long as do not break buds. Replace the pots or divide the plants after the flowers are gone, in the spring. Do not use too large pots, because it will grow better in a pot that will only need enough for growth in the next year.

Maybe your plant grows well but does not flower. This can also occur when plants are weak or waterlogged. Such plants need to be repotted immediately at any time of the year. Two years must be repotted once or when the bark has been damaged.

To replace the pot easily, soak in water for about 15 minutes, the root will come out divided to about 3-5 branches. Planted in the middle of the pot and buried about 1.27cm deep. Do not plant too deep, the orchid will be rotten leaves and also do not grow in large pots.

7. Pest control of grow and care Paphiopedilum Orchid

Prevention is better than cure, choose healthy plants and cultivate them well in a disease-free condition. Remove too weak or infected plants and clean the greenhouse. There are no specific pests associated with orchids, but fungi, aphids, etc. will weaken the plant if not controlled. Wash them off with soap and water if they are found early, otherwise, you will need to take specific medications with specific instructions.

NOTE:

- To avoid damage to plants and flowers, keep them away from heat sources such as air conditioners, and other sources of heat.

- Soft leaves can be a sign of overheating or lack of water, because Orchids are usually grown in small pots with drainage, which can dry very quickly. Watering is the most important factor and the golden rule for plants to grow well is keep them cool and moist.

SOME VARIETIES OF PAPHIOPEDILUM ORCHID TO START PLANTING

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Grow and care Paphiopedilum Orchid - Venus Slipper

IDENTIFY PAPHIOPEDILUM ORCHID - VENUS SLIPPER