Paphiopedilum callosum

Also known as: The Callus Paphiopedilum or Paphiopedilum crossii var. sublaeve Paphiopedilum crossii var. potentianum Paphiopedilum callosum h.v. thailandense Cypripedium callosum h.v. sanderae Paphiopedilum callosum h.f. vinicolor Paphiopedilum callosum h.f. sanderae Paphiopedilum callosum h.v. disepalous Paphiopedilum thailandense h.v. sanderae Paphiopedilum callosum h.f. album Paphiopedilum crossii h.f. viridiflorum Paphiopedilum callosum var. warnerianum Paphiopedilum birkii Paphiopedilum callosum var. angustipetalum Paphiopedilum callosum var. schmidtianum Cypripedium crossii Cypripedium schmidtianum Cypripedium callosum var. sublaeve Paphiopedilum thailandense h.f. album Paphiopedilum callosum sanderae Paphiopedilum callosum ssp. subleave Paphiopedilum callosum h.f. viridiflorum Paphiopedilum crossii h.v. thailandense Paphiopedilum potentianum Paphiopedilum callosum ssp. sublaeve Paphiopedilum callosum var. callosum Paphiopedilum callosum var. potentianum Cypripedium barbatum var. warnerianum Paphiopedilum callosum var. sublaeve Paphiopedilum sublaeve Paphiopedilum crossii Cordula callosa Paphiopedilum thailandense Paphiopedilum callosum h.v. sanderae In Thailand - V'ang Kang Kop in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

Native to: Cambodia Thailand

General Information

The Callus Paphiopedilum is a medium sized cool to warm growing lithophytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae native to Cambodia and Thailand. It is named after the Chiang Mai.

Plant Description

Grows to 50cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic oblong shaped leaves that grow to 5-25cm 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 3mm to 224mm per day, heaviest in September and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 59% to 82%, highest in September and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 8C to 33C, highest in April (20C to 33C) and lowest in January (8C to 26C).

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 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.

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.