Shoe, pafiodipelum

Paphiopedilum

There are 55 species to this genus. Nowadays, in addition, a large number of new decorative varieties and hybrids of these beautiful orchids are obtained. Sometimes these plants are called "Venus shoe", but you need to know that in a temperate zone of Europe, grows a similar orchid with this Russian name, belonging to another genus, Cypripedium. The following species are common:

Shoe horny

P. callosum

Homeland - Thailand.

Leaves reach 25 cm in length and 5 cm in width, gray-green, covered with dark spots. The flower is about 10 cm. The lip( slipper) is brownish-purple in color. Blooms in March-June.

Boot sparse

P. spicerianum

Homeland - Assam.

Leaves are linear, up to 20 cm long. The flower is about 6 cm. Sepals with a wavy edge, sometimes twisted. The shoe is purple-brown with a green edging along the edge. Blossoms from November to January.

Himalayan shoe

P. venustum

Homeland - the Himalayas( at an altitude of up to 1500 m).

The leaves reach 15 cm in length and 4 cm in width. The upper side is gray-green, marble, and the lower one is purple. Flower up to 8 cm. Shoe is yellow-green. Blossoms from October to January.

Shoe shaggy

P. villosum

Homeland - Burma.

.Leaves up to 40 cm. The flower reaches 15 cm. The shoe is brownish-yellow, with a lighter( yellow) inner part. Blossoms from November to May.

Courtship. It is one of the most attractive orchids. It grows well in florariums, especially in the so-called "flower display cases".Only a very few species can survive on a windowsill in a room. This is due to the fact that the shoes do not tolerate dry air. In this case, a high level of humidity for them must be combined with bright diffuse illumination. The best place, than a flower show-window, for пафиопедилюмов to not find. The temperature should be high - 25-27 ° C.Thailand's species do not tolerate sudden fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Himalayan species are more stable. Boots usually form a very weak root system, requiring a carefully selected substrate. When a plant throws out large flowers, it becomes especially unstable and easily breaks. For this reason, it is better to tie the peduncles to the support( wooden post, etc.).As a nutritional mixture, all the basic ones are suitable, for example: 1) pine bark, sphagnum and dry ground beech leaves( in the ratio 2: 2: 1);2) roots of the royal fern( osmunda), pine bark, sphagnum, crushed dry beech leaves( 3: 2: 2: 1);3) the roots of the fern of the centipede( polypodium), sphagnum, and the leaves that have perished( 2: 2: 2).Other combinations are also recommended. The container must not be too large. It is very important to ensure good drainage. Can not stand the stagnation of water at the roots! Transplantation( transshipment) is carried out as required.