About
An evergreen, terrestrial orchid with strap-shaped leaves. Flowers borne on long stems have yellow and dark red striped upper petals and yellow side petals spotted dark red with a purplish-red pouch.
About the genus
Paphiopedilum are mainly terrestrial, and lithophytic or epiphytic. They lack pseudobulbs and produce short stems with strap-shaped leathery leaves. Each shoot ends in a solitary flower or racemes of 2-8 flowers each with a distinctive variably-shaped lip or pouch
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1A
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow in an open medium in a shaded position in summer protected from direct sunlight but move to a bright, unshaded position in winter. Maintain high humidity in spring and summer by standing container in a tray of damp pebbles; do not mist. Water regularly in spring and summer, reduce watering in the winter but do not allow compost to dry out completely. Feed regularly with a proprietary orchid fertiliser when in growth but reduce frequency and/or strength of feeding in winter. See indoor orchid cultivation
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by division in spring when plant has at least six new growths and can be divided into clumps of at least three growths
Pest resistanceMay be suseptible to aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free