Paphiopedilum malipoense (Jade Slipper Orchid)

Paphiopedilum malipoense (Jade Slipper Orchid) is an evergreen, tender orchid boasting striking green flowers, 3-5 across (8-12 cm), with a pale green pouch, apple-green sepals and petals striped and spotted garnet-purple, and a central pure white and rich burgundy staminode. As an added bonus, the blossoms have a nice raspberry fragrance. Blooming in spring, the flowers are borne singly on upright green stems spotted with purple. The attractive foliage of dark and light green mottled, narrowly elliptic to oblong leaves, up to 4-8 in. long (10-20 cm), is spotted purple underneath. The colorful leaves make this orchid an attractive houseplant even when it is not in bloom. Native to Vietnam and southern China, Paphiopedilum malipoense grows in leaf litter on limestone rocks in mixed semi-deciduous to open deciduous, broad-leafed mountainous cloud forests, or on steep limestone cliffs or at the summits of limestone mountains with mosses and ferns at elevations of 1400-4700 ft. (450-1450 m). Discovered in 1984, this orchid species is currently extremely threatened. One of the few truly fragrant paphiopedilums, Paphiopedilum malipoense is a very adaptable species in cultivation, the key to best flowering is a rather cool winter rest.

• Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm).
• Grows in an open medium in a shaded position in summer protected from direct sunlight but move to a bright, unshaded position in winter. An east or west window, or near a shaded south window are best.
• Needs a night temperature of 61-71°F (16-22°C) and a daytime temperature of 68-77°F (20-25°C).
• Maintain high humidity (50-70%) for most of the year by standing container in a tray of damp pebbles – do not mist.
• During the spring and summer growing season, the plants should be kept quite warm, shady, humid and not allowed to dry out completely between watering.
• During the winter months, the plants should be kept on the cool side and much drier; allowing the plants to dry completely between watering.
• Feed once every two weeks in the spring and summer, once every 4 weeks in the fall and winter.
• When the blooms are finished, cut the spike down to the level of the leaves. Continue watering and fertilizing and within a year a new growth will spike to begin the blooming cycle again.
• When the plant has finished blooming is a good time to repot your orchid. Repot every year. Paphiopedilum orchids like to be tight in their pots. An average plant should have a 4-6 in. pot (10-15 cm).
• Large plants can be divided by pulling or cutting the fans of the leaves apart, into clumps of three to five growths.
• Generally disease free. Keep an eye out for aphids, glasshouse red spider mite and mealybugs.
• Native to Vietnam and southern China.

Tips for reblooming

• Check regularly if the plant is secure in its pot and the root system is sound. If not, repot.
• Try applying a blooming fertilizer in the early spring months.
• Move the orchid to a cooler, brighter location for a week, then return it to its original location.