About
Flowers are borne singly on long stems, usually in winter or early spring, though they may appear year round when grown under glass. A tender evergreen hybrid slipper orchid to 30cm tall, with oval green leaves. Flowers are up to 10cm across and have a dark burgundy pouch, pale green petals with burgundy veining, and a burgundy speckled, pale green hood fading to white.
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 pHNeutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1B
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height1-2 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a terrestrial orchid compost, with added crushed bark and dolomitic limestone chips, and shade from hot summer sun. Provide high humidity in the growing season but do not mist. In winter, move to a position in full light and water sparingly. See slipper orchid cultivation for more detailed advice
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by rooting offsets that develop on the edges of established clumps
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to red spider mites, mealybugs and aphids
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free