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Paphiopedilum Information & tips - Plant Guide

Paphiopedilum Information & tips - Plant Guide

The Paphiopedilum is also called a venus shoe or a woman's shoe, as the shape of the flower is shoe-shaped. In nature you will find the plant in Europe, North America and Asia.
Paphiopedilum Information & tips - Plant Guide
  • Water regularly
  • Semi-shade, no direct sunlight
  • Not air-purifying
  • Nutrition every month (summer)
  • Slightly toxic for animals
  • Repot every other year

Intro

The Paphiopedilum is also called a venus shoe or a woman's shoe, as the shape of the flower is shoe-shaped. In nature you will find the plant in Europe, North America and Asia. It stands out because of the striking inflorescence of the plant which is generally considered very beautiful.

Location

It is important that the Paphiopedilum is not completely in the shade, but also not in direct sunlight. Direct sunlight could burn the plant. Place the plant in a spot in the semi-shade, for example near a window on the north.

Temperature

The temperature of the Paphiopedilum should be between 15 and 25°C.

Watering

The Paphiopedilum loves a light Orchid soil. Water once a week, in summer a little more. Make sure that no water remains underneath the repot. Immersing with water for about ten minutes is preferable.

Nutrition

The Orchids need very little fertilizer. Feed once a month, but use only half the amount of fertilizer indicated on the bottle.

Flowering

Each stem blooms only once and then dies off. Cut the old stem as deep as possible. The Paphiopedilum flowers after about nine months on a new shoot. If the Paphiopedilum becomes too large, it can easily be divided into pieces of two or three plants. The Paphiopedilum does not like to stand in a too large pot. Once every three to four years to put pots in Orchid soil is sufficient.

This orchid is easy to grow in the living room. Do not put the Paphiopedilum in full sun. Cold nights (12 to 15 °C) in spring promote the development of flower buds.

Because a slightly lower night temperature stimulates bud formation, most Orchids bloom in the middle of winter. Paphiopedilum is a slow growing crop. It takes about three years before the Paphiopedilum is old enough to bloom. With sufficient new shoot (leaf) growth, it can then bloom every year. The more shoots the Paphiopedilum makes, the greater the chance that the Paphiopedilum will bloom with more flowers.

Extra information

-Be careful with full sun: These plants should not be in full and direct sun, because there is a risk of burns. A light spot where the sun does not shine directly is good. A window on the north or a shield from the sun would be fine.
-Immersion once a week: A pot plant with the pot in a container with water indicates that this plant likes to be immersed in the water for a short time (10 minutes) with the root ball. After dipping, the water should drain out.
-Minimum 15°C, Maximum 25°C: This plant feels at home in most living rooms.
-Feeding 1x per month: This plant has a moderate nutritional need. Once a month with food, taking into account the concentration recommended on the product, is sufficient.
-Not suitable for consumption: These plants are not suitable for human or animal consumption.

Origin

The botanical species of the Paphiopedilum are found in the jungles of the Far East and Indonesia. They grow mainly in the humus layer of the forest and sometimes on rocks. They are rarely found in trees.

Paphiopedilums are also sometimes called Venus shoes (in English ladyslipper or slipper orchid, and in German Frauenschuh). About sixty to eighty species belong to this genus.

The shoe-shaped lip serves as an insect trap; flying insects are lured by fragrances and the promise of nectar in the flower. They can only go outside through a narrow opening, passing the pistil and stamens and getting the pollen on their bodies. The next time the flower is flowering, the pollen ends up on the pistil.

Diseases


The Paphiopedilum does suffer from mealy bug. Make sure that the plant is not in a draughty environment, which prevents vermin. It is possible that the Paphiopedilum will drop flowers. This can be the result of too much watering, too cold air or too little light. Pay attention to this and adjust when this happens.