Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum

Also known as: Esquirol's Paphiopedilum or Paphiopedilum esquirolii var. chiwuanum Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum f. viride Paphiopedilum chiwuanum Paphiopedilum esquirolii h.f. album Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum h.f. aureum Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum h.v. esquirolii h.f. album Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum h.v. pynursula Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum f. saccopetalum Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum f. alboviride Paphiopedilum esquirolei Paphiopedilum esquirolii h.f. viride Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum h.v. sukhakulii Paphiopedilum saccopetalum Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum h.v. sukhakul Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum h.v. hirsutissimum Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum var. chiwuanum Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum h.v. esquirolii h.f. viride Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum var. esquirolii Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum h.f. album Paphiopedilum esquirolii Cordula esquirolii Cordula hirsutissima in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

Native to: Assam - India China Manipur - India Mizoram - India Nagaland - India Thailand

General Information

Esquirol's Paphiopedilum is a cool to warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae native to India, China and Thailand. It is named after the English Orchid Collector and discoverer of this variety.

Plant Description

Grows to 45cm. Each new growth has numerous thick leaves that grow to 1.5-45cm long

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids like to be kept on the dry side, but may need to be watered daily during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered regularly.

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

These orchids grow in cool climates, at low altitudes, in cool plains, forests or coastal scrub.

They are forgiving of humidity variances as long as temperatures are kept on the cool side. They can do well outdoors in the garden in cool and temperate areas, though it is important that they are protected from warm dry winds. They can enjoy morning sun especially in winter but will need protection from the hot sun in the afternoon and during summer. With some acclimatisation they may be able to receive more sun.

 

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 10mm to 175mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in January. Temperature ranges from 4C to 28C, highest in June (21C to 28C) and lowest in January (4C to 21C).

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.