Slipper Season

In Photos on 13 November 2011 tagged Bloom, Flowers, Orchids, Paphiopedilum

It’s Paphiopedilum season in Plantgasm Gardens right now. We’ve had three go into bloom in the last week. I think Paphiopedilum are the perfect orchids for houses because they’re happy in low light and cool temperatures. In nature, they grow on the forest floor.

Paphiopedilum Pisar (delenatii x concolor)

Paphiopedilum don’t bloom that often, but even when they’re out of bloom, the leaves are often really pretty. They also stay small, which is nice.

Paphiopedilum spicerianum (‘Maybrook’ x ‘Jace’)

Paphiopedilum are often called “slipper orchids” because of the shape of the bloom. The lower portion of the flower resembles a slipper. Really it’s for giving insects a place to land when they come to pollinate.

Alma Gavaert ‘Hagers’ x (Oriental Mystique x Enchanted Orient)

I especially like the way the flowers look before they bloom.

See Also

• The Joy of Out-of-Bloom Orchids
  If you want top pick up orchids on the cheap, and you're feeling lucky, buy them when they're not flowering.
• First Bloom: Cirrhopetalum pulchellum
  The whole spread is about an inch across.
• Masdevallia floribunda flowers
  It's always exciting when an orchid flowers for the first time.