Paphiopedilum hookerae

Also known as: Hooker's Paphiopedilum or Paphiopedilum volonteanum f. sandowiae Paphiopedilum hookerae f. sandowiae Cypripedium hookerae h.v. vollanteanum Paphiopedilum hookerae h.f. album Cypripedium hookerae var. volonteanum Paphiopedilum hookerae h.v. volunteanum Paphiopedilum hookerae h.v. volonteanum h.f. sandowii Paphiopedilum hookerae var. hookerae Paphiopedilum volonteanum h.v. giganteum Cypripedium volonteanum Paphiopedilum hookerae var. volonteanum Paphiopedilum volonteanum Paphiopedilum hookerea h.v. volonteanum in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

General Information

Hooker's Paphiopedilum is a small warm to hot growing lithophytic or terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae. It is named after the Director Of Kew in England in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous leathery thick, elliptic, oblong shaped leaves that grow to 2.7-23cm long

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Sand

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

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 175mm to 688mm per day, heaviest in January and lightest in July. Humidity ranges from 82% to 89%, highest in January and lowest in July. Temperature ranges from 19C to 30C, highest in August (19C to 30C) and lowest in January (19C to 28C).

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. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser year round.

Potting

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in hot weather.

This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually, in Winter and Spring or Summer.