Maintenance skills of Paphiopedilum

To raise Paphiopedilum well, we must first understand the characteristics of Paphiopedilum. Aristolochia is terrestrial or semi-epiphytic. Aristolochia has no pseudobulbs, and there are usually two types, one is green leaf type, the other is marble-like pattern on leaves, so it is called variegated leaf type. The green leaf type is slightly thicker, the surface is smooth and hairless, can store certain nutrients, and usually bloom in winter and spring. And marbled Paphiopedilum, the leaf is very thin, the surface is hairy, usually purple on the back, gray-green on the front, and usually blossoms in summer and autumn. The roots of both types of Paphiopedilum are rooted and hairy. Paphiopedilum will generally grow lateral buds from the beginning, the roots will also reproduce, and the root-walking head will sometimes emerge from the soil to become a complete plant.

Paphiopedilum prefers a warm, humid and semi-overcast environment, afraid of heat and strong light exposure. So it should be put in a place with sunshade, or a shaded balcony. The root of Paphiopedilum is easy to rot, so the plant material is required to have better air permeability. I have tried a variety of cultivation media, such as gentleman orchid soil, orchid stone, whole water moss and rotten leaf soil. I have seen a man raise very well with whole pebbles, even the kind of gravel used to pave the road. but my friend's orchid shed once killed hundreds of Dilan trees in one summer. It is best to add some soft plant materials such as orchid stone, the same formula as orchid soil, this kind of plant material is better to control watering. Whole-water moss is also very good, but if you use whole-water moss, you can't use a large basin and dry slowly. So it is easy for Dolan to die inexplicably, especially in summer. So the plant must be breathable. Paphiopedilum has no water storage organs, so its drought tolerance is very weak, and once it is short of water, it is basically difficult to save it. Some friends use semi-hydroponic culture, and it is said that the effect is very good. Interested friends can have a look at Baidu.

The growth of Paphiopedilum is relatively slow, and the old leaves will wither, so it is not luxuriant. When it blossoms, it doesn't change much the rest of the time. But its roots are still actively moving. So the demand for fat is not very high. But it should not be completely without fertilization, especially when it is close to flowering. Personally, I prefer to use orchid special slow-release fertilizer, which is more convenient to use. The flowering period of Paphiopedilum is relatively long, so try not to let the flowers get wet after flowering, especially not to let water accumulate in your slippers.

Because the roots of Paphiopedilum should be moisturized for a long time, it is easy to breed bacteria if the ventilation is not smooth. Therefore, irregularly use drugs such as carbendazim to fill the root. You can also use aspirin solution.

Native Paphiopedilum in China, such as apricot yellow, hard leaves, Malipo and so on, are basically protected plants. In recent years, there are magical powers who only recognize that they have brought American Paphiopedilum from South America. The flowers of American Aristolochia are brightly colored, which makes up for the lack of rich colors in China. The cultivation method is similar to that of domestic Paphiopedilum.

Generally speaking, it is difficult to cultivate Paphiopedilum, and it is best not to raise it if there is no suitable environment.