Low's Paphiopedilum is native to Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Java and Celebes. They grow close to water or in areas with heavy rainfall and are usually found in bright locations, often even within full sun for part of the day. Although usually found at heights of 760-1370 m, there are reports of finding them much lower, at a height of 250 m, but also much higher, at an altitude of 1,600 m. Its roots plunge into thick moss on trees, in deciduous litter, in moss or in humus that fills boulder depths or unevenness on cliff walls.
Paphiopedilum lowii orchid, also called as Low's Paphiopedilum, Cordula lowiana, Cypripedium cruciform, Cypripedium lowii, Paphiopedilum lowii f. aureum, Paphiopedilum lowii var. aureum, Paphiopedilum lowii var. lynniae, Paphiopedilum lynniae, is a species of the genus Paphiopedilum. This species was described by (Lindl.) Pfitzer in 1895.
IDENTIFY PAPHIOPEDILUM LOWII ORCHID
Low's Paphiopedilum is native to Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Java and Celebes. They grow close to water or in areas with heavy rainfall and are usually found in bright locations, often even within full sun for part of the day. Although usually found at heights of 760-1370 m, there are reports of finding them much lower, at a height of 250 m, but also much higher, at an altitude of 1,600 m. Its roots plunge into thick moss on trees, in deciduous litter, in moss or in humus that fills boulder depths or unevenness on cliff walls.
This orchid is a medium sized, hot to cool growing, multi-flowered lithophyte, has 4 to 6, linear to narrowly elliptic, fleshy, clear dark green leaves. The leaves are up to 40 cm long and up to 5.5 cm wide.
It blooms in the spring and summer on a terminal, erect to arching, 25 to 40" (62 to 100 cm) long, nodding, green mottled purple, pubescent inflorescence with elliptic, yellow marked with purple, pubescent floral bracts that are 1/3 the length of the ovaries carrying 2 to 7 successive opening flowers. The flowers are up to 14 cm in diameter and about 7 cm in height. The dorsal petal is yellow to green, and at the base is more or less intensively colored brown or chestnut with radially spreading streaks that extend from the base to the upper half. The lower petal is light green. The base of the inner whorl flakes is yellowish-green and marked with brown spots that sometimes have a shape of eyes. The expanded apical portion of these petals is violet to pink. The lip is greenish-brown to dark brown and usually has darker veins that are clearly visible. The side plots arranged in the center have a lighter color and brown dots.
GROW AND CARE PAPHIOPEDILUM LOWII ORCHID
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
This species need a light level of 20000-30000 lux. Strong air movement should be ensured all the time.
Temperature:
Similar throughout the year - average temperatures on day 25-27 ° C, average night temperatures 16-17 ° C, with an amplitude of daily fluctuations of 9-11 ° C. Due to the fact that the altitude is wide, the plants should adapt to temperatures of 4-6 ° C higher or 2-3 ° C lower than indicated.
Humidity:
This plant need humidity of 85-90% for most of the year, with a short fall in the summer to around 80%.
Substrate and growing media:
The substrate must always be loose, permeable, one that maintains moisture, but does not absorb. Sphagnum moss can be added to the mixture used, especially if the plants can not be watered every summer or if there is a lower humidity at the place of cultivation.
They are very tolerant both to the excess of accumulating salts and to the decomposing substrate. Paphiopedilum lowii is able to survive the excess of salt and fertilizers, as well as the decomposing substrate better than most other species, but it should not be overly exposed for a long period of time to such conditions, because it can eventually cause problems with root rot.
Watering:
Cultivated plants should often be watered with only slight drying between waterings.
Fertilizer:
Plants should be fertilized every week or every two weeks with 1/10-1/4 of the recommended dose of fertilizer for orchids. The fertilizer with a high nitrogen content with fertilizer with an increased amount of phosphorus should be used alternately throughout the year.
Rest period and repotting:
In winter, watering should be somewhat reduced, especially in the case of plants cultivated in darker conditions of a short day typical of higher latitudes, but they should not completely dry up. A short rest period is needed to initiate flowering.
Paphiopedilum lowii orchid should be repotted every 2-3 years. Repotting is usually done in late winter or early spring.
COMMENTS