Paphiopedillum
Slipper orchid, Venus's slipper, Tropical lady slipper
- Height × spread
- 0.3m – 0.4m × 0.3m – 0.4m
- Position
- Part shade
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 80 species of the much loved slipper orchid, and innumerable hybrids. They are found over a wide area of the world including parts of China and India as well as Malaysia and the Philippines. New discoveries continue to add new species to the hoard. These orchids have a deep pouch at the front with petals behind. There is a great variety in their form with many having spots and speckles, and colours in just about every combination but blue. The flowers last for several weeks. They occupy a range of habits from growing in the ground to perching in the forks of trees or sitting on limestone cliffs. Cultivation preferences vary according to the species, many of which are best grown by experts.
- Flower colour
- Brown, Orange, Red, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Column
- Height
- 0.3m – 0.4m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade
- Soil type
- All types
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- 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.