Paphiopedilum barbigerum

Also known as: The Beard Carrying Paphiopedilum or Paphiopedilum barbigerum f. aureum Paphiopedilum barbigerum var. sulivongii Paphiopedilum barbigerum var. barbigerum Paphiopedilum barbigerum h.v. coccineum aureum Paphiopedilum insigne var. barbigerum Paphiopedilum barbigerum var. aureum Paphiopedilum barbigerum h.f. album in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

Native to: Guangxi - China Guizhou - China

General Information

The Beard Carrying Paphiopedilum is a small warm to hot growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae native to China.

Plant Description

Grows to 15-30cm. Each new growth has numerous leaves that grow to 1.8-18cm long

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 18mm to 267mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 69% to 83%, highest in October and lowest in April. Temperature ranges from 6C to 31C, highest in July (23C to 31C) and lowest in January (6C to 15C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a constant supply of moisture, with a slight drying out between waterings. Saucers can be placed under pots to retain moisture during hot weather, however the saucers should be removed or let to dry every 1-2 weeks to prevent rot. Keep an eye on the plant especially in hot weather and look for cues of under/overwatering and adjust accordingly.

Fertiliser

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer and Winter.

Potting

These plants are quite forgiving and will do well repotted ever 2-3 years. The mix should be coarse, well draining, and allow space for air to move and for roots to grow. 

Alternatively, these plants will also do well mounted to tree fern or cork slabs, or mounted to trees.

Best time for repotting or mounting the orchids is the end of winter when new growths start to appear. Avoid repotting during hot weather,

Repotting is best done annually.