Paphiopedilum or Paph orchids, as orchid growers also call them, are a most unique and special kind of orchids.
Due to the form of the paphiopedilum petals (somehow similar to a woman slipper), these kind of orchids is also called Lady’s Slipper or Venus’ Slipper.
Most orchid plants are epiphytic (that is, they grow on trees), some are lithophytic, which means that their roots cling to rocks and the third type of orchids are terrestrial, with their roots covered by earth or humus.
When we study paphiopedilum orchids, we can realize that some species are terrestrial and some aerial (epiphytes or lithophytes), that is to say, with the roots “breathing” the air.
There are close to 80 different Paphiopedilum species and, some of them require a lightly different care and attention than the others. However, we can list some tips that should be good for the majority of Paphiopedilums.
While Cattleyas and Dendrobiums like to have little periods in which their media has dried up, Paphiopedilum orchids must be kept moist all the time.
Another difference to the two mentioned orchid species is that Paphiopedilums should not be exposed to the direct rays of the sun. Only some paphiopedilum variants that display mottled looking leaves like to be placed where the sun rays reach them.
Paphiopedilum orchids are ideal if we want to grow our orchid plants indoors. Indeed, they are among the rare orchid kinds having the capacity of growing and blooming normally just under fluorescent lights. However, the indirect sun light during the day is also gladly received by Paphiopedilums.
Some species of Paphiopedilum orchids can also thrive in cool temperatures, other than their related orchid plants like Cattleyas and Dendrobiums. They tolerate night temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. But not every kind of Paphiopedilum can do that. So if you are growing your paphiopedilum orchid in your garden, it is advisable to ask your orchid supplier about the concrete kind of Paph orchid you have.
Paphiopedilum Niveum Orchid
To know more about Paphiopedilum orchids and how to care your orchid plant in general, I recommend your reading the eBook Growing Orchids Indoors and Outdoors.
