Family: Orchidaceae
Common Name: Slipper Orchid

These orchids are mainly native to Southeast Asia, with some occurring in the Himalayas, through to China, and south to Papua New Guinea. They come from diverse habitats, from areas at sea level to mountainous areas with altitudes of over 2000 m (6500 ft). Many species are threatened in the wild so few are offered for sale, but an enormous range of cultivars and hybrids is available from specialist growers.

Species

P. bellatulum, from Thailand and Burma, has creamy white, summer flowers, heavily spotted with maroon, and checkered leaves.

P. concolor, from Burma and south-western China, is a dwarf species, mostly with pale yellow, summer flowers, finely spotted with purple.

P. insigne is a cool-growing species with long-lasting, yellowish green flowers, marked with brown and white. The lip is a yellowish brown colour. Flowering is in late autumn to early winter.

P. niveum, from Thailand, has white flowers, faintly dotted with purple, in summer.

P. parishii is a native of Thailand, Buena and south-western China. Lark purple and green flowers, with long, twisted, pendulous petals and green lips, appear in the summer.

P. philippinense, from the Philippines, produces long sprays of drooping, hairy, reddish purple flowers, with white sepals and yellow lips, from summer to autumn.

Cultivation

Grow paphiopedilums in an inter-mediate greenhouse with minimum temperature of 13°C (55°F). Grow them in small pots with bark-based orchid compost (formulated for terrestrial orchids), available from specialist growers. In summer, plants need good light (but shade from direct sun), a humid atmosphere, and frequent watering. Feed every seven to ten days. In winter, plants need maxi-mum light, reduced humidity, and much reduced watering (keep compost slightly but steadily moist). Propagate from side shoot cuttings.

Climate

Tropical.