Paphiopedilum spicerianum

Also known as: Spicer's Paphiopedilum or Paphiopedilum spicerianum f. immaculatum Paphiopedilum spicerianum h.f. alboviride Paphiopedilum spicerianum h.f. biflorum Paphiopedilum spicerianum h.f. nigriscens Cypripedium spicerianum h.v. Leodiense Paphiopedilum spicerianum f. burkhardii Paphiopedilum spicerianum h.v. magnificum Cordula spiceriana in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

Native to: Mizoram - India

General Information

Spicer's Paphiopedilum is a small cool to warm growing lithophytic orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae native to India. It is named after the English Officer in India in the 19th century.

Plant Description

Each new growth has numerous elliptic oblong shaped leaves that grow to 3.5-30cm long

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear during Autumn

Blooming Season

• Autumn

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 10mm to 551mm per day, heaviest in June and lightest in December. Humidity ranges from 67% to 86%, highest in August and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 6C to 27C, highest in July (19C to 27C) and lowest in January (6C to 20C).

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

Repotting is best done annually.