Paphiopedilum bellatulum

Also known as: The Enchanting Paphiopedilum or Cypripedium bellatulum h.v. chotekae Cypripedium bellatulum h.f. album Paphiopedilum bellatulum f. chlorophyllum Cypripedium bellatulum h.f. roseum Paphiopedilum bellatulum h.f. alba Paphiopedilum bellatulum h.f. roseum Paphiopedilum bellatulum h.v. majus Paphiopedilum bellatulum h.v. mariae Paphiopedilum bellatulum h.f. semialbum Paphiopedilum bellatulum h.v. albesense Paphiopedilum bellatulum var. album Paphiopedilum bellatulum f. album Cordula bellatula in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

Native to: Thailand

General Information

The Enchanting Paphiopedilum is a small sympodial warm to hot growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae native to Thailand.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 10cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic leaves that grow to 6-25cm long

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids live on the forest floor, often in dead leaves or humus, yet still have the organs that would allow them to store water given unpredictable or intermittent weather conditions. They require some moisture to always be present in the soil, but not much. Water when the soil approaches dryness and don't let it dry out completely. Some growers place pots in saucers to retain water, but this may create an environment that is too wet, leading to rot.

In most areas these can be grown in the garden under trees or in sheltered locations, as long as they are reasonably protected from huge weather swings, excessive heat, and frost.

Climate

hot-forest-orchids Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 8mm to 292mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 58% to 83%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 8C to 30C, highest in April (18C to 30C) and lowest in January (8C to 23C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

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. This plant is sensitive so apply fertiliser sparingly at one quarter recommended strength or less. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer and Winter.

Potting

These plants can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well. Repotting is best done after the growing season when the plant has died back.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.

 

Repotting is best done annually.