Content
- Are the lady's slipper Orchids Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium alike?
- Different origins manifest divergent site requirements
- Divergent flowering times
- Tips
Both Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium are called Lady's Slipper Orchid
Are the lady's slipper Orchids Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium alike?
The Erdorchidee genera Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium cause hobby gardeners for confusion. Although their flowers are confusingly similar, they differ significantly in terms of cultivation. For additional confusion the German names are responsible, because both are mistakenly dubbed Frauenschuh. The following explanations would like to shed some light on the subject.
Different origins manifest divergent site requirements
The frequent confusion of Paphiopedilum and Cypripedium would be less consequential, as both orchid genera came from the same habitat. In fact, these lady slipper orchids are native to different parts of the world. Paphiopedilum thrives in tropical regions, such as India, Thailand or Malaysia. In contrast, Cypripedium are native to the northern hemisphere. This is followed by these significant location divergences:
Paphiopedilum
Cypripedium
In view of these serious differences botanists call for better identification of the Paphiopedilum Orchid as Venusschuh and Cypripedium Orchid as Frauenschuh.
Divergent flowering times
The heterogeneous origin leads to equally heterogeneous flowering times. Paphiopedilum orchids bloom in indoor settings under ideal conditions from October to February. Modern hybrids do not wear their flower dress even throughout the year. It follows that the Venusschuh orchid knows no rest periods in the true sense. Only the spotted-leaved species require cooler nighttime temperatures of 13-16 degrees for flower induction at the end of the growing season.
The hardy Cypripedium orchid takes a completely different course. Its flowering period is between 6 and 8 weeks between May and July. The plant then picks up its foliage and retreats into its rhizomes in the soil. By March of next year, she is resting deep in the ground to drive again cheerfully.
Tips
A Paphiopedilum orchid does not want to leave its snug, humid place on the windowsill at any season. In contrast, a Cypripedium orchid does not feel very comfortable in living rooms and conservatories. This lady's slipper orchid only reaches its optimum when it is exposed to frosty temperatures around the freezing point for more than 2 months at its location in the garden.