Paphiopedilum lowii

Also known as: Low's Paphiopedilum or Paphiopedilum lowii var. aureum Paphiopedilum lowii h.f. album Paphiopedilum lowii h.f. vinicolor Paphiopedilum lowii h.f. semialbum Paphiopedilum lowii var. lowii Paphiopedilum lowii h.v. richardianum and P lowii Paphiopedilum lowii var. lynniae Paphiopedilum lowii f. aureum Cypripedium cruciforme Paphiopedilum lynniae in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

General Information

Low's Paphiopedilum is a medium sized warm growing epiphytic or lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae. It is named after the English Orchid Enthusiast in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous thick erect leaves that grow to 5.5-40cm long. The plant forms clusters over time

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Spaghnum Moss

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 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 16C to 27C, highest in August (17C to 27C) and lowest in January (16C to 25C).

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

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.