We are extremely delighted to offer this amazing Soft Pink strain from Mr. Shen, who is an educator by profession and has the best private Paph collection in Taiwan. This strain is the result of a sibling crossing two of his best line-bred soft pink Paphiopedilum (abbreviated Paph.) micranthum.
It produces a single, impressive, 4 inches large, eye-catching flower with a prominent pouch.
Paph. micranthum is found from northern Vietnam to western and northern Guangxi, southeastern Yunnan and western Guizhou (China), at elevations of 460 to 1600 meters. The plant is found on cliffs and in crevices which contain leaf litter, limestone, and clay. The area is subjected to fog in the winter and heavy rain from late spring to summer. It has leaves that are mottled dark and paler green above and purple spotted underneath. It produces a single beautiful flower approximately 4 inches wide on a sturdy 10-inch inflorescence, which can be painstakingly slow to develop.
Paphs detest soggy growing medium; pot in well-draining media. During active growth, grow them in bright light and warm temperature with high humidity and good air circulation. As with all Paphs, its roots are sensitive to salt buildup from excess fertilizer which causes leaf tips to turn brown. It is a good practice to flush the medium with fresh, clean water once a month and repot Paphs in fresh media every year. Can be grown on a bright windowsill or under lights. We grow this species alongside our novelty Phals and they love warm days and warm nights. To induce flower, they need a cold treatment in winter. The optimum cold treatment for this species in winter to induce flowering is 50 - 55° F for 3 weeks and keep on the dry side with higher light (even full morning sun). We grow these plants in my Paph greenhouse where night-time temperature goes down to only 60° F with no problem flowering.
Mr. Shen has flowered at least 1,000 Paph. micranthum over the course of 30 years, when this amazing species first became available from China. He has selectively breeding many strains to create ease of growing and flowering and heat tolerance for his central Taiwan growing area.
Not commonly found in the market. An absolute must-have for the Paph species collector. Highly recommended .
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