Paphiopedilum Rosy Dawn
(Paphiopedilum Astarte x Paphiopedilum Gwen Hannen)
 
A cross first bred in the 1930's that remains a popular crop plant to this day. The compact silvery green foliage will create multiple fans easily, becoming a beautiful specimen plant in no time.
Strong vertical stems hold creamy white flowers with a hint of pink. Flowers in hot weather will have more coloration, while cooler temperatures will reduce the pink flush.
 
Origin
The botanical species of Paphiopedilum occurs in the jungles of the Far East and Indonesia. They grow mainly in the humus layer of the forest and sometimes on rocks. They are rarely found in trees.
 
The Paphiopedilum are also commonly called “Little Shoes”. About sixty to eighty species belong to this generation.
 
The shoe-shaped lip serves as a trap; Flying insects are attracted by the fragrance and promise of nectar in the flower. They can only exit through a narrow opening, past the pestle and stamens, the pollen remains on their bodies. In a next flower, the pollen ends up in the pestle, pollinating the flower.
 
CARE
Paphiopedilum are shade orchids. Never place them in the afternoon sun. Too much sun can burn the leaves. The daytime temperature for spotted leaves should be between 20 and 24°C. For green leaves, the temperature should be between 17 and 22°C during the day. 
Paphiopedilum blooms for six to ten weeks.
 
Water moderately, never leaving the plant in water. It is preferred to use rainwater for about ten minutes.
 
Orchids need very little fertilizer. Give orchid food in the amount indicated on the package. This orchid is easy to grow in the living room. Do not place the Paphiopedilum in full sunlight. Cool nights (12-15°C) in spring promote the formation of flower buds.
 
Each stem only flowers once and then dies. Cut the old stem as deep as possible. Paphiopedilum blooms again about nine months later. When transplanting, make sure that the foot of the Paphiopedilum is under the top material, otherwise root growth will stop. Paphiopedilum does not like to be in very large pots. Transplanting every three to four years with mixture for orchids is sufficient.
 
Because a slightly lower nighttime temperature stimulates bud, most orchids bloom in mid-winter. Paphiopedilum is a slow growing crop, taking about three years to reach maturity. From there, it can then bloom every year.
 
The more buds the plant manages to give, the greater the chances of blooming with more flowers.