Another great essay from Helen was about Slipper Orchids. Here it is No. 2. PAPHIOPEDILUM SPECIES & HYBRIDS The genus Paphiopedilum, comprising approximately 60 species in the Asian tropics from southern India to New Guinea and the Philippines, readily adapts to cultivation and is one of the most popular orchid families grown today. Commonly called Slipper Orchid because of the shape of the flower’s labellum (its inflated lip), the scientific name derives from the Greek ‘Paphian’, an epithet for the goddess Aphrodite, and ‘pedilon’ meaning slipper. Because of their fascinating forms and delightful hues, these beautiful tropical Asiatic orchids have captured the hearts of orchid lovers and botanical artists. All Paphiopedilum species produce flowers of a similar basic plan. The dorsal sepal is large and showy while the lateral sepals are fused into a “synsepal” that is usually hidden behind the large pouch-like labellum. Petals may be round and similar to the dorsal sepal, or linear and variously twisted, curved and undulate. A feature critical to the identification is the shield shaped “staminode” in the centre of the flower. A few species produce flowers that are predominantly a single colour, while others exhibit several to many colours and may also be flamboyantly striped or spotted. The flowers of some species are adorned with warts and hairs on the petals. Most species are solitary flowered, but several groups within the genus bear multiple flowers; either concurrently or successively. Horticulturally, plants can be divided into three groups. The tessellated (mottled) leaf species tend to be from the lowlands and require warm temperatures; plain leaf species bearing one flower usually prefer intermediate or cool temperatures; and plain leaf species bearing multiple flowers prefer warm temperatures and brighter light conditions. Due to the popularity of Paphiopedilum species in cultivation, wild populations are under threat because ruthless plant collectors remove plants from their natural habitats. Some of the rarest wild-collected species fetch hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars in the horticultural trade. Slipper Orchids are notoriously difficult to raise from seed, but they can be propagated by artificial methods. As a member of the Australian Orchid Foundation and the Australasian Native Orchid Society, I am a firm believer in the conservation of orchids through cultivation and through preservation of their natural habitats. By cultivating hybrids, we are satisfying the needs of many orchid growers, thus removing some of the pressure from wild populations. Illustrations: Watercolours of Paphiopedilum hybrids by Terry Napier (P. ‘Magic Cherry’), Alison Gianangeli and Rachael Walker. These three artists have elected to paint the whole plant, capturing the tessellated leaves and the highlights on the petals, sepals and labella to utter perfection. Terry has included a few of the plant’s roots in his painting, while Alison has elected to indicate a small section of the potting mix. Sue Boxshall has painted two exquisite portraits of single hybrid flowers. This type of detailed orchid portraiture was perfected by artists who painted Awarded orchids for the Royal Horticultural Society. Paphiopedilum ‘Magic Cherry’ - Terry Napier. Cat. 94, 2008 Paphiopedilum hybrida – Alison Gianangeli. Cat. 60, 2006 Paphiopedilum hybrida – Rachael Walker. Cat. 151, 2006 Paphiopedilum hybrida – Sue Boxshall. Cats. 22 & 23, 2006.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 11:35:38 +0000
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