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The phalaenopsis orchidaceous plant is very popular for its colorful blooms and uniquely - shaped flower petal .
But the Lady Slipper Orchid is another species from the orchid syndicate that turn head just as phalenopsis blooms do .
thousand of indoor plant lover have an African violet growing and flower in their window sill garden .
If you do , you could and should develop a lady slipper orchid . They ’re just as well-off as African violet !
Paphiopedilum [ paffy - oh - PEED - i - lum]aka Lady ’s Slipper , Lady’s - slider , Ladyslipperis a fan - forge plant with flush having a part in big slipper - shaped pouch form and two sepals that are either sagging or adjudge horizontally .
How Many Paphiopedilum Species?
There are approximately 60 Paphiopedilum orchid mintage aboriginal to North America and Europe . This particular Paphiopedilum sort is a one - bloom flora with dark spotlight on the dorsal sepal and cerise hair’s-breadth at the bases of the petals and sepal .
The flower petal usually amount in dark reddish brown color with a touch of Orange River . In addition to the beautiful flower of this industrial plant , it is also loved by many orchid enthusiasts for its handsome and compact leaf .
At first look , each folio has an upper green portion , but a close look will show its nucleotide has purple spot .
Paphiopedilum insigneflowers are long lasting ( up to 2 months ) , an unusual feature for an orchid . It is one of the few orchids that can conform to distinctive home conditions .
Although this industrial plant is slow to grow flower , it is revered by many orchid fan around the world .
Lady Slipper TRIVIA:
The Lady ’s skidder is the official provincial flower of Prince Edward Island , a province of Canada .
The lady ’s carpet slipper is also know in the United States of America as the moccasin heyday because of its resemblance to a brake shoe or mocassin .
You may cognize this orchid by another name . genus Paphiopedilum are usually referred to as genus Cypripedium . This terminal figure is sometimes shortened to “ cyp . ”
Correctly , cypripedium is the botanical name render our untamed noblewoman carpet slipper .
Cypripedium reginae ( showy lady slipper ) is Minnesota ’s state blossom .
civilise orchids with the slipper lip should be known as paphiopedilums . They are available online from many orchid specialists .
There are several skilful reasons for choosing a paphiopedilum over other orchidaceous plant genera .
For one matter , their culture is the simplest . AlthoughPhalaenopsis ( moth orchids)are simple .
For another , the flowers last from one to three month , and the plant life is attractive when not in salad days . The plant is small - grow .
Lady Slipper Plant Care
Flowering
Paphiopedilum have a varied flowering season . Thus , a cautiously chosen collection of as few as six plants could result in a year - round succession of bloom .
What ’s more , the range of colors and combinations is exceedingly broad .
Light
Six hour or more of daylight is gettable ordinarily from south or west windows . When house - turn , paphiopedilums need optimal light , but it must be indirect .
Shading will be required during any time of day that the plant life would be in verbatim sun .
Watch the colour of the foliage ; an intense , deep super acid may bespeak deficient Inner Light ; yellow - fleeceable warns of overexposure .
Watering and Fertilizing
Since paphiopedilums are terrestrial orchidaceous plant , they have no means of storing water . This pass water them like to common house plant life in that their water system intake is through their roots .
Keep them evenly moist . wealthy tepid water mightily through the pot .
Do not allow the plant to sit in pee nor dry out . Unfortunately , no principle can be made as to the frequence of tearing .
It might be everyday ; perhaps two or three time weekly . The important affair is to avert extremes of wetness and dryness ; use estimable judgment !
get into your paphiopedilum is growing in fir bark , the planting culture medium used by many growers , every other watering should be add on with fertilizer .
Organic gardeners usefish emulsion plant foodat the rate of one teaspoon to a gallon of water .
( Others favor a 30 - 10 - 10 chemical substance plant food applied according to manufacturer ’s directions . ) On alternate fertilizing days , also tot more nitrogen by using ammonium nitrate at the charge per unit of one - half teaspoon to each gallon of weewee and fish emulsion .
Humidity
Paphiopedilums are less fussy than other orchid about humidness .
On sunny days when the humidity is abject , foliar spraying is advisable . In this eccentric weather the leaves will dry out quickly , eliminating the luck of water remaining in the leaf axil .
A plastic bag placed over bud and bloom during spray will keep them dry . loaded bud will blare !
Plants syringe day by day will also be dust - free and less capable to encroachment by worm .
Should your house be highly warm and ironical , add a humidifier to the way , and obnubilate the foliage as often as convenient .
Temperature
Paphiopedilum with fleeceable foliage may be grown at a night temperature in the 1950s . Ours seem contented when grown heater . Those with dappled leave-taking must have a minimum night temperature of 60 ° academic degree .
Related : Using Neem Oil on Orchids
Planting and Repotting
Every other year , after flowering , repot Paphiopedilum growing in fir bark , which , by the way , is the easiest and clean metier for grow them .
Unless more plants are desired , channelize the intact plant to a larger tummy rather than split up the divisions . More blossoms per container will result .
There are six steps in repotting :
