paph in sg

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www.greenculturesg.com 1

Green Culture Singapore Feature Article for May 2009

Published on 22 June 2009

Text & Pictures by Lim Xuan Hong

IntroductionOrchids are the largest family of flowering plants. They generally can be

classified into having sympodial and monopodial growth habits.

Above: Dainty and unique flower of Phragmipedium pearcei.

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Sympodial

Slipper orchids can be generally classified as sympodial even though theyhave leaves which look similar to strap leaved vandaceous Monopodial orchids.This is because they reproduce by growing offshoots at the base of the motherplant characteristic of sympodial orchids

Above: Sketch highlighting differences between sympodialand monopodial orchids.

Terrestial

Slipper orchids, unlike the commercial Dendrobium and Cattleya orchids, aremostly terrestrial and grow on loose soil or rocky ground (lithophytes). Hence intheir natural environment, their roots do not usually dry out entirely as they arecovered by media rather than exposed to air. Other orchids which are terrestrialinclude jewel orchids, Habenaria, reed Epidendrum, Eulophia, Bamboo orchid(Arundiana) and Spathoglottis.

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Structure

Slipper orchids are named as such due to their unique pouch resembling aladys slipper. The Cypripediumgenus is commonly found across North Americaand hence people who cultivate these plants associate their flowers with pouch-like lip with the slippers or moccasin which they wear.

Above: The general structure of a slipper orchid

Uniqueand carnivorous?

Slipper orchids have been so sought after that certain clones or specieshave brought out the ugly side of human nature. It has been known that specialclones of award winning hybrids can easily command USD$2000 for a growthand collectors have willed that their collection be destroyed after demise.Renowned botanists have gotten into trouble with the law for smuggling rare

species under the CITES convention.

So why did people go to such extremes to obtain these plants? This issimply because the flowers of these alluring genera of orchids have been toomesmerising for collectors and expert growers. Call them weird, majestic orpeculiar people just cannot resist the temptation of growing one themselves!

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It is a common misconception that slipper orchids are carnivorous, largely

due to the fact that these plants resemble pitcher plants by having a pouch. Butthese slipper orchids have a pouch on their flower not their leaves! Hence it isonly logical that the pouches have to do with slipper orchids reproduction andthe flowers pollination.

Indeed, the pouch traps insects when they land into the pouch so they areforced to climb up past the staminode, behind which they collect or deposit thepollinia, and in so doing pollinating the flower.

Types of Slipper Orchids

There are 5 genera of slipper orchids -Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipediumand Selenipedium.

Above (from left to right):Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipediumand Selenipedium

However, Cypripedium, Mexipedium, and Selenipediumare not commonlyfound in Singapore so only Paphiopedilumand Phragmipediumwill be covered indepth in this article.

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Paphiopedilum

Subgenus Brachypetalum

These plants are all mottled and warm growing. For beginner growers inSingapore, it is highly recommended that this group of slipper orchids be triedfirst for a confidence booster. Most come from South-East Asia hence suitable forour climate.

Other species in this subgenus include:

Source: slipperorchid.info

Left: Look out for the mottled leaves of thissubgenus. Shown here is the easy growingPaphiopedilum niveum

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Subgenus Paphiopedilum

These plants from this subgenus also originate from South-East Asia, but

some may be highland growing. Several known to be able to grow and to someextent bloom include:

Subgenus Polyantha

These plants also come from South East Asia but most are intermediate tohighland growing. Several species worth a try include:

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Growing Conditions

Media:

Free draining soil / media. Different growers prefer to use different mediabut what is crucial is that it must retain a certain amount to moisture yet be welldraining. This is because slipper orchids lack pseudobulb for water storage, sothey should not be allowed to dry out entirely. Waterlogged soil is a no-no forPaphiopedilumas their roots will rot. Media I use include: 0.3-1cm rocks in burntearth, tree fern fibre, bark chips (fine), diatomite, pumice, small charcoal bits orperlite and sphagnum mix.

Above (Clockwise from top left):Tree fern fibre, small bark chips, pumice & diatomite.

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Temperature:

For above mentioned subgenera, balcony / garden conditions can do fine. Makesure there is air-circulation to keep plants cool as slipper orchids do not take

severe heat well.

Sunlight:

Morning sun is the best for these plants. Alternatively provide bright light(must be able to form a shadow with your hands 30 cm above the location).Avoid direct afternoon sun as the heat will burn the leaves of these orchids andform scorch marks on the leaves.

Fertiliser:

Fertilise slipper orchids at recommended dosage of orchid fertiliserweekly or twice a week when the plant is actively growing.

Above: My Paphiopedilum spicerianumgrown as described above.

Hybrid Vigour:

Like other plants, hybrids may be able to tolerate heat and even growfaster due to hybrid vigour. Crosses with a warm growing parent (e.g. withBrachypetalumsubgenus) will have a higher chance of growing well in our warmclimate here.

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Above: A hybrid with subgenus Brachypetalumparentage.

Phragmipedium

These slipper orchids generally have longer petals and have a morefloppy look than Paphiopedilum. One of the advantages of growing them is thatthey are multi-floral, while most Paphiopedilumare not.

These plants originate from South America and are hard to come by in

Singapore. There are only 20 odd species in this genus and only 1 or 2 speciescan tolerate the heat well in Singapore.

Above:Phragmipedium pearceihas been knownto be able to grow well here in Singapore.

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Growing Conditions

Media:

The natural habitat of Phragmipedium differs slightly from Paphiopedilum.Phragmipedium usually grow on rocks near waterfalls or streams in themountains of South America. Hence they like their roots moist, wet and cool most

of the time. Grow them in sphagnum and perlite mix.

Temperature:

To keep temperature low, place the plants in a well ventilated area. If possiblelocate them near water bodies or foliage to keep their surrounding temperaturelower.

Water:

Run water through the media of the plants daily to simulate the naturalsurroundings of the plant. In the wild, Phragmipedium roots can be immersed inconstantly flowing water.

Light:

Give them morning sun / bright light while avoid heating the plant up.

Left: A slipper orchid taken by fellow GCSmember Teresa (sasa) in KinabaluBotanical Gardens.

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Conclusion

Despite their allure, some slipper orchids can pose a challenge toinexperienced growers especially if the species concerned is a cool growingplant. However, with research and experience growing these plants, gettingslipper orchids to flower is definitely a very rewarding experience!

References

1. www.slipperorchid.org

2. www.slipperorchid.info

3. www.slipperorchid.com/forum

4. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ladys_slipper

Acknowledgements

The author of this article would like to express his gratitude to:

GCS members who came down to support the Learn to grow Slipper

Orchids talk on the 23May 2009.

Joseph (GCS Carnivorous plants and Orchids advisor) for his help during

the talk and for sharing his experience.

Teresa (Sasa) for contributing photos for the talk and this article.

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