Paphiopedilum Lady Slipper Orchid Maudiae Hybrid Dark Vini-Colored, Easy and Hardy Slipper Orchid, NOT in Bud/Bloom When Shipped

Lady slipper orchids of the genus Paphiopedilum are among the most desirable flowering plants on earth. They're called 'lady slippers' or 'slipper orchids' because some clever person observed that the pouch 'lip' on the flowers resemble lady slippers, and the name stuck! The past 175+ years of breeding have resulted in blooms of incredible color, beauty, and form with the most desirable specimens commanding the highest prices paid of any orchids. Unlike the mass-produced orchids available everywhere these days, each lady slipper orchid is grown from seed in a long, painstaking process taking three to five years until the first bloom is seen. Every plant is a genetically distinct individual, as unique as people. In other words, they're not clones! Maudiae-type Paphs are the result of hybridization within the Barbata Section of Paphiopedilum. The original P. Maudiae was produced by crossing P. lawrenceanum by P. callosum back around 1900. Over the years since, genes from many related species have been brought in, including sukhakulii, acmodontum, wardii, curtisii, mastersianum, and sukhakulii. The great thing about Maudiae types are their intense colors. Breeders have created albino (green and white), vinicolor (intensely pigmented), and everything in-between! On top of their lovely form and colors, maudiae-type paphs are among the easiest to grow and bloom. They prefer low light levels, so indoor conditions are just fine. They tend to grow a bit faster than their Paph 'complex' hybrid cousins as well, making them the perfect introduction to this fascinating family of orchids.

• Easy to grow and bloom, a great starter lady slipper orchid! PLEASE NOTE: plants are NOT in-bud/bloom when shipped.
• We're offering vinicolored (deep red/purple) Paph maudiae hybrids here -- alluring, mysterious, and highly desirable.
• Fascinating mottled leaves. Enjoy them for their foliage when not in bloom. PLEASE NOTE: plants are NOT in-bud/bloom when shipped.
• PLEASE NOTE: Some of these plants will have bloomed previously but all will have new shoots/growths that can bloom at the next blooming cycle, which may be 6 - 9 months away. (Paphiopedilum lady slipper orchids do not rebloom from previously bloomed growths.)
• IMPORTANT NOTE: these plants are NOT IN BUD/BLOOM when shipped. Photos are REPRESENTATIVE of plants being offered. PLEASE look at all the pictures in this listing so you know the condition/size of plant you'll be getting.