When you’re looking at a paphiopedilium, what you are looking at is a very small orchid family that contains about 60 different varieties. They are often known as Lady’s Slipper because of the petal’s distinctive shape. It’s got a pouch-like petal that’s comes with a lengthened dorsal sepal that resembles a fragile tiny shoe. For many people, these orchid types are quite eye-catching. After all, Mother Nature designed it so that this flower can take advantage of the pollination opportunity.

Where can you find this orchid type? Paphiopediliums are typically found in the region of the Indian Subcontinent, New Guinea and the Philippines. Lady’s Slipper is a terrestrial plant but do not have pseudobulbs (or a water reservoir) like other orchid types. The leaves of the Paphiopediliums will be able to hold the substances that the plant needs later on.

There have been a large variety of hybrids thanks to horticulturalists successfully cross-pollinating the breed with other orchid breeds.

Orchid Shades

There are many vibrant shades of the Paphiopediliums. For instance, the petals are usually darker in color, giving off a very striking facade. Its leaves are shaped like a fan and are either speckled or have a solid glossy green color appearance. Of course, how the leaf looks is determined on whether they are the warm growing variety or the cold growing variety.

Warm Growing Orchid Variety

When you have the warm-growing orchid variety, you’ll notice that the speckled orchid does well in temperatures of 75 to 85 degrees, seen during the daytime hours. However, the nighttime temperatures cannot be less than 65 degrees.

Cold Growing Orchid Variety

Those orchids of the cold growing variety can live in temperatures of 50 to 75 degrees. Since this type can overlap the warm orchid variety, it’s highly probable to grow both kinds in the home. Keep in mind that you won’t get the same results as if the plants were given the exact temperatures requirements.

Best Time For Paphiopediliums

During the months of November, December, January and February, Paphiopediliums look their best. This is the time of year that they will flower. It often blooms in large number and can last for nearly three months. However, environmental conditions must be favorable for this to occur.

These plants do well when they get a lot of light. Regular watering is a must but keep an eye out for the potting medium. You don’t want it to stay completely wet as root rot can occur in your fertilizer. Be sure to give this orchid type some nitrogen-based fertilizer at least once every three weeks.

During the autumn months, the Paphiopediliums will lie dormant so that the plants can ready themselves for the flowering task. They usually need less fertilizer and moisture and would rather stay in cool settings.

This orchid variety is quite popular so it’s typically difficult to find. However, most beginning orchid growers will try their hand at this plant type since they do well in the indoor climate. If you want to lengthen the flowering period, you’ll need to pay more attention to it. This means you’ll need to give it the right feed amounts and give it the cool temperatures it craves during the dormant phase.

A good rule of thumb when you are trying to grow orchids. Do not give your orchid type a lot of attention, as these plants will generally take care of themselves. Remember this before you make changes to the plant’s setting.