Venerin slipper (Paphiopedilum Pfitzer) is a very decorative plant. It refers to the family of orchids, the genus Pafiophyllum. Beautiful name given to these plants by the French: "shoes Venus", the British gave a similar name - "Lady's shoes", in America, pafiopediulyamy called "flowers-moccasins." In ancient times they were called "callers" in Russia. Its name is the plant Venus shoe is obliged to an orchid (derived from Paphia - that's the name of one of the goddesses of Venus, and "pedilon", which means "sandal").
To date, the genus includes about 80 species of semi-epiphytic and terrestrial plants from China, Laos, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and the Himalayas.
The plant of Venus's shoe has a shortened stem, leaves are oblong or belt-like, broad-line, close to each other in a two-sided rosette. Color of leaves: in some species, leaves with a marble pattern of dark color, others have a pure green color. Straight, often pubescent, flower spike has on itself one or three large flowers of unusual shape. A distinctive feature of the flower from other orchids is the unique form of a wide petal called the lip. The petal has the appearance of a shoe or bag. The other two petals are narrower, open obliquely downward or horizontally.
Care of the plant.
Lighting. The Venus shoe is a plant that loves light, except for the summer period of time when the plant needs partial shade and should avoid direct sun rays. In autumn and winter, it is better to keep the plant in scattered sunlight. Bright daylight is useful for the plant. Cultivating shoes on windows directed to the west or to the east, if necessary transferring to a more shaded place.
Temperature regime. When caring for shoes, it is necessary to take into account the species to which the plant belongs. Different species have different geographic origin and confinement to the ecosystem. From belonging to one or another kind depends on the choice of conditions of detention. There are heat-loving and cold-resistant pafiodipelums.
To the heat-loving are all plants with large flowers of rounded form, all plants with mottled leaves. This is the pafiophyllum of the sukhakul, and the papiodipelum is calloused. The optimum temperature of the content for the thermophilic type of shoes is 16-18 ° C in winter.
Cold-loving pafiodipelums, such as the great Pafiophyllum and its hybrids, prefer a temperature of 8-12 ° C.
The diurnal temperature fluctuations of the papio-poduleum tolerate well, like all orchids. The difference in daytime and nighttime temperature should not exceed 3-6 ° C. Pafiopedilium like to be in a frequently ventilated room. During the spring-summer period, the air temperature in the room should be 18-23 ° C.
Watering. Pafiodipelums need uniform, moderate watering throughout the year, use soft, stand-by water. Not having a clearly expressed period of rest, pafiopediulymy prefer moderate watering after drying of the upper part of the earth coma. In winter, watering is reduced after flowering. Watering should be done carefully, preventing water from entering the plant stem, otherwise the decay of the plant may begin.
Air humidity. The humidity of the air for the papiodipelum should normally be about 60%. It is useful to systematically spray the leaves of the plant with soft water. If the air is too dry, the plant can be surrounded by a special tray with expanded clay, moss or peat and constantly maintain the filler tray in wet condition. It is important not to let the bottom of the pot get wet on the moistened substrate. In winter, after the flowering, the plant is not demanding for moisture.
Top dressing. In the summer, about once a month you should apply fertilizers for flowers, reduced by half compared to the data specified in the instructions.
Transfer. As the salts decompose in the substrate, plants are transplanted, because the shoes are sensitive to an overabundance of salts. The roots of plants are fragile, so transplant plants should be cautious, no more than once in two or three years. During flowering, plants can not be transplanted. It is necessary to wait until the flowering period is over and then transplant the plant. By the fall, the flower has reached sufficient development and can resume flowering.
For the transplant, a loose substrate consisting of humus, forest litter, broken potsherd, charcoal with chalk or dolomite flour, or wood bark is required, a coarser substrate is placed downward, and a moisture-absorbing substrate is placed on the outside. The surface is covered with fresh sphagnum moss. Plant roots grow in horizontal directions, accordingly it is necessary to choose a pot that is more flat and wide, a bowl is perfect.
Reproduction. Reproduction of the papiopedilum occurs vegetatively by dividing the stem into parts (three shoots per each). The petioles must be rooted in soil consisting of equal proportions of humus, broken shards, charcoal, crushed pine bark and forest litter.
Precautionary measures.
Some representatives of the Pafihedylum species are moderately poisonous, the effects of poisoning: vomiting, contact dermatitis, diarrhea.
Difficulties of growing and care.
- Diseases: brown spots appear on the leaves. The reason lies in sunburn (if the stains are stiff and dry). It is necessary to obscure the plant. You do not need to delete corrupted places.
- Fungal disease (leaves with soft specks). Remove damaged parts, treat with fungicidal agents.
- Mold leaf. The reason is gray rot. Appears with frequent spraying in a cold period of time. Water does not have time to evaporate and a fungus is formed.
- Shield and spider mite are pests that damage the plant.