Paphiopedillum gratrixianum
Laos slipper orchid
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.4m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Flowers
- Winter
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Exotic eye candy, the slipper orchids amaze. This form, coming from Vietnam and Laos, has large single blooms coloured, in the main, a warm brown orange. There is an exuberant, over-arching top petal that is coloured white with maroon staining on its upper side, the lower surface being yellow with a positive rash of maroon spots. The slipper is deep and inviting and is designed to capture insects which will pollinate the plant within its deep pouch. This orchid flowers in winter and the tall flowering stem may need to be supported. The orchid is generally grown in a container using orchid compost with plenty of bark. It likes to fit snugly into the pot and is intolerant of excess moisture about its roots. Ideally the pot should be sunk entirely within a larger container. It needs to be misted very lightly but regularly and kept moist during late spring and summer. They should be fed regularly with an orchid feed. Repot annually. This needs a minimum winter temperature of at least 10C.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Orange, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Winter
- Flowers in
- Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- Alkaline
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Heated greenhouse 10C & above (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while the plant is in growth. The watering should be reduced as the leaves start to die. It should be kept just moist during its rest period (generally winter) and watering resumed when new growth starts.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with orchid feed
Use a standard orchid feed regularly at every third watering during summer, applying it as directed on the packet.
For specialist feeding, you can buy a group of orchid feeds. Apply a high nitrogen feed in spring as the plant is coming into growth, a balanced feed during growth, and a high potash feed in autumn.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.
Compost · Planting
Orchid compost for repotting
Use orchid compost designed for plants that are terrestrial, i.e. they grow in earth.
You can create your own using a mixture that includes equal measures of a coarse peat and grit with ten percent perliite and charcoal. Opinions vary on 'recipes' and if your interest develops, you can research the views of specialist growers.