The Paphiopedilum is an elegant orchid with an eye-catching lip, slender stem and sweeping petals. Thanks to the shoe-shaped lip, this plant is also called the Venus slipper, lady slipper or slipper orchid. Because if you see the lip separate from the flower, it looks just like a slipper! But that’s not all that’s special about this orchid. In this article, you can read 11 more fun facts about the Paphiopedilum!

Also read: These are the 11 most popular types of Orchids

 

12 fun facts about the Paphiopedilum

2. The shoe-shaped lip of the Paphiopedilum not only makes for a cute nickname, but it also helps in pollination. It gives off an odour – inaudible to humans – and lures flies into its mouth. Once inside the mirror-smooth lip, there is only one way out: along a staircase of hairs at the back of the lip, past the pollen and pistil.

3. A few Paphiopedilums and Phragmipediums have such long petals on their flower that they reach their leaves or sometimes even the ground. These petals then serve as a path for crawling insects to walk to the mouth and take care of pollination there.

 

 

4. Paphiopedilums are propagated mainly through seeds. After pollination, the flower falls from the stem and the ovary at the top of the stem swells. Depending on the variety, the seed must ripen on the plant for six months to a year, before the seed pod can be harvested and sown on special soil with the necessary nutrients for germination.

 

 

5. The seed pod contains tens of thousands of seeds, as fine as dust. This seed doesn’t carry any nutrients for germination and must enter into a symbiosis with certain fungi. So in nature, the seed must fall in the right place in order to germinate. In the laboratory, we make a breeding ground with special nutrients, including bananas, that help the fine seed germinate. The germination process takes up to several months.

6. Paphiopedilum is a large family with many diverse species. From very small to large flowers, from green leaves to variegated leaves with flower colours from white-green to almost black, and from solid colours to speckles and stripes.

7. Paphiopedilums are sympodial orchids. These orchids grow from a horizontal stem instead of a vertical stem. Sympodial orchids have multiple stalks – or pseudobulbs – which increase in number every year. Usually, these new pseudobulbs emerge from the side of an older pseudobulb.

 

 

8. Paphiopedilums are southeast Asian orchids which are native to humid forests. While the majority of orchids are epiphytes (grow in trees), Paphiopedilums are mostly terrestrial. This means they usually grow amongst rocks, moss and leaf litter. That’s why the Paphiopedilum doesn’t like direct sunlight: in nature, it’s protected by the foliage of the trees.

9. The Paphiopedilum is a ground orchid. There is no chlorophyll in the roots; therefore, the plant isn’t placed in a transparent pot.

10. The Paphiopedilum flowers for about 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the variety.

11. The process of crossing, seed, germination and growth into a flowering plant takes about 6 years.

12. The Dutch American Hybrids are crossed to be grown sustainably, with fewer diseases and easy re-flowering in the living room.

 

 

Paphiopedilum care tips

A few Paphiopedilum care tips:

• Water your Paphiopedilum once a week, slightly more in the summer. Make sure that no water remains at the bottom of the outer pot.
• Paphiopedilums are shade plants, so don’t place them in direct sunlight.
• Did your Paphiopedilum finish flowering? Then remove the stem as deep as possible and place the plant in a cooler room. Also give it a little less water, which promotes bud induction in the new shoots.
• Keep the plant cooler for about six weeks and then treat it again with sufficient light, water and a warmer temperature. This in turn gives new shoot growth, which is necessary for subsequent flowering.

 

Read more about the Paphiopedilum orchid!

Of course, you can surprise your loved one on Valentine’s Day with an original do-it-yourself like scented sticks with Cambria, or even more fun: a kokedama with special orchids. But do you want to put your Valentine in the spotlight? Then surprise them with an orchid bouquet: flowers that last for months! If that’s not eternal love!

 

A bouquet of happiness

With the orchid, you not only bring a stylish addition into your home; you also experience a moment of happiness from nature. That orchids make people happy is proven by consumer research, with the orchid once again reaching the top spot in the list of houseplants that promote happiness. For some because of the beautiful addition in the interior, for others, it is in the long shelf life or getting the orchid to bloom again.

 

 

Months of flowering

The orchid is known as the queen of the plant kingdom. And did you know that the flowering period of orchids lasts longer than most other types of flowering plants? Phalaenopsis – the best-known orchid – easily bloom for eight weeks to months. Paphiopedilums are also sometimes called venus slippers (in English lady slipper or slipper orchid) bloom for six to 10 weeks. The average flowering time of Cambria orchids is six weeks.

Read more here: These are the 11 most famous orchids

 

The meaning of orchids

Since ancient times, flowers and plants have been used to make something clear to others. In the Middle Ages, but also in times before, great value was placed on symbolism. In Europe, the orchid is known for its beauty, richness and power.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

With spring in sight, it’s time for a new, fresh scent in your home. And you can easily make one yourself! In this article we share step-by-step instructions for a DIY room spray. We are adding scented orchids – not only because they smell nice, they look great too!

DIY room spray with scented orchids

 

 

Necessities

• A scented orchid, like Cambria, Miltonia, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium or Zygopetalum
• 50 ml distilled water
• 50 ml vodka
• 15-30 drops of essential oil of choice
• Vanilla-extract
• Spray bottle

 

Instructions

Fill the spray bottle with distilled water and alcohol. Add the essential oil and a dash of vanilla extract. Keep playing with the amounts until you’ve found a fragrance that works for you. Shake the bottle carefully to mix everything. Then cut a few flowers from the orchid and place them in the bottle. In the video below we used a fragrant Phalaenopsis, but you can use a Cambria, Miltonia or Zygopetalum too. Twist the cap on, shake it a bit and spray!

 

@orchidsinfo

The orchid makes this home spray smell so good! #diy #roomspray #homespray #orchid #flower #interior #home #flowerscent #huisgeur #huisspray #orchidee #diyroomspray

♬ original sound – jaredjjenkins

 

Do you want to hang on to the scent for longer? Then leave the cap off and place a few wooden sticks in the bottle. The result is homemade fragrance sticks! Place them in a nice spot in your house and enjoy them every time you walk by.

 

More fun DIY ideas:

• DIY: scented sticks with Cambria and tuberose
• DIY: kokedama with exclusive orchids
• DIY: Gift wrapping with orchids

The colour we will see this year is Viva Magenta, which Pantone chose as the Colour of the Year 2023. It is a nuanced red tone, balancing between warm and cool. Wondering how you can style the Pantone Colour of the Year 2023 in your interior? Then read on for inspiration!

Also read: The style trends for 2023 in the field of flowers and houseplants

 

Viva Magenta: Colour of the Year 2023

Pantone reveals the year’s colour based on trends in different industries, including interior and fashion. In 2023, that will be Viva Magenta: a brave, dynamic and vibrant hue. It’s a pulsating colour whose exuberance promotes optimism and joy.

 

How to style the Colour of the Year 2023

Viva Magenta is a striking colour but combines easily with other colours. You can easily add an accent colour to your interior with plants, and the same goes for the orchid in this dark red colour. This is already a beauty in itself because the colour matches beautifully with the dark green of the leaves of the plant.

 

 

For example, create a ton-sur-ton effect by styling Viva Magenta with the same shades. Think of light pink, purple or burgundy.

 

 

The Colour of the Year 2023 also combines great with contrasting colours, such as yellow and orange. The result is a cheerful mix that is perfect for spring.

 

 

Do you prefer a calm base? Then opt for light blue, light gray, khaki or taupe. With these natural shades, the Colour of the Year stands out beautifully.

 

Also read: Add colour to your kitchen with the help of orchids

How nice is it to take your orchid out of its pot and turn it into a kokedama? This is very well possible since orchids have aerial roots and can therefore grow without potting soil. The pot is really only used to place orchids. Pack the root ball as a kokedama (moss ball) for an even more beautiful styling and natural look. A trendy indoor mini garden with exclusive orchids. Easily done, and a beautiful effect!

 

 

DIY: Kokedama with exclusive orchids

You will need:

• Paphiopedilum
• Sheet moss
• Winding wire
• Wire cutters

 

Read also: DIY: scented sticks with Cambria and tuberose

 

Get to work:

Step 1:

Carefully remove the Orchid from the plastic pot. As well as Paphiopedilum, you can also use other exclusive orchids of course.

 

 

Step 2:

Fold the moss around the roots and try to keep as much of the root ball inside the moss as possible.

 

 

Step 3:

Secure the moss by wrapping the wire around it. Keep the moss damp with a plant spray.

 

 

 

Curious about the best way to water your orchid? Also read: 3 ways to water your orchid

 

Source: Thejoyofplants.co.uk

The Phalaenopsis orchid is a slender plant with shining leaves, whose flowers emerge charmingly from the top of long stems. Also known as the moth orchid, this may be the prettiest species in your plant collection.

 

Colors and shapes of the Phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis’ nickname of moth orchid is derived from the shape of its flowers which resembles fluttering, elegant moths. The plant is popular with fans of pastels because it comes in purple, pink, salmon, white and yellow varieties. If you see a bright blue version, know that the colour effect has been created with dye. There are also patterned varieties, which produce petals boasting pretty spots or stripes. You can also spot Phalaenopsis by its fleshy roots, thick, shiny leaves and tall flower stems.

 

 

Symbolism

Phalaenopsis isn’t just lovely to look at, its symbolism is also charming. It’s almost a given that this flower stands for elegance, femininity and attachment.

 

Read also: What is the meaning of orchids?

 

Origin

In the wild, Phalaenopsis orchids grow on trees and rocks in the tropical rainforests in Asia and Australia. It makes this plant an epiphyte, a plant that lives on other plants but without drawing nutrients from them. In the 18th century Europeans abroad brought Phalaenopsis back home with them, where it was quickly and successfully established as a houseplant.

 

 

Phalaenopsis care tips:

• The plant likes light, but not the bright summer sun.
• Immerse the roots weekly in water.
• Spritz the leaves with water during the dry winter.
• Feed once a month in winter, and twice a month during the rest of the year.

 

 

Source: Thejoyofplants.co.uk

 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

The beautiful orchid has so many faces that it simply doesn’t get boring. Of the more than 25,000 species of orchid that can be encountered in the wild, there are some that look particularly beautiful in our homes. You could also say: with orchids you’ll have an infinite variety of magnificent flowers!

Infinite variety of magnificent flowers

 

Colors and shapes

The leaves of the orchid are not particularly striking in most species – it’s the flowers of this plant that are the real eye-catchers. Orchids are usually arranged in racemes and can be tiny or up to a metre in size. Whether in the form of a few large flowers, as with the classic butterfly orchid (Phalaenopsis), or as a sea of small flowers, as with the tiger orchid, all are enchanting works of nature’s art that you can enjoy for a long time. Other popular varieties include Miltonia, Dendrobium and Paphiopedilum.

 

 

Symbolism

In ancient Greece, the orchid was the symbol of fertility and virility. Now in Europe, the orchid is a symbol of beauty, wealth and strength.

 

Read also: What is the meaning of orchids?

 

Origin

Orchids probably evolved around 120 million years ago. More than 25,000 species are now known – and this number only continues to increase. In the wild, the orchid grows mainly on trees, in rock crevices and on moss. The orchid occurs in nature almost everywhere in the world – especially in Germany, where there are about 60 different wild species!

 

Orchid care tips:

• The plant likes light, but not the bright summer sun
• Immerse the roots weekly in water
• Spritz the leaves with water during the dry winter
• Feed once a month in winter, and twice a month during the rest of the year

 

 

Source: Thejoyofplants.co.uk

 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

Do you already have a lot of orchids in your house and/or do you feel like going green? Then gather a lot of orchids and some wooden boxes together and create a Christmas tree of orchids. After the holidays, put the plants back in place or hand them out to your visitors as a souvenir of the holidays.

A Christmas tree of orchids

 

Orchids

Whether you choose the tiger orchid or Dendrobium, every orchid shines in its own way. There are so many varieties that there is always an orchid to match your loved one. The petals of orchids are like works of art for your home.

 

Orchid care tips:

• The plant likes light, but not the bright summer sun.
• Immerse the roots weekly in water.
• Spritz the leaves with water during the dry winter.
• Feed once a month in winter, and twice a month during the rest of the year.

 

 

More Christmas inspiration

Looking for more inspiration about celebrating Christmas with plants? Bring on that warm festive feeling by making your own gift wrapping with orchids, or get started with this DIY Christmas place cards with orchids. For a daily dose of inspiration, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Source: Thejoyofplants.co.uk

Green foliage, full of flowers: Dendrobium feels quite different from the rest of the orchid family. Stately with a crown of flowers that rises upwards, Dendrobium is very distinctive.

 

Colours and shapes

It differs from other orchid species with its clusters of flowers that form at the axil of each leaf and which give off a lovely fragrance. The unusual way of flowering on the stem means Dendrobium looks very different from most orchids. The plant blooms for at least 8 weeks a year with sizeable flowers which are five to eight centimetres wide. The colour varies from entirely white through yellow and orange to red and purple and combinations of those colours.

 

 

Symbolism

The name comes from the Greek word ‘dendron’ meaning ‘tree’ and ‘bios’ meaning ‘life’. Many Dendrobium species are known for being good at removing chemicals like toluene and xylene from the air. They are therefore viewed as natural air conditioners.

Read also: This is how special exclusive orchids are

 

Origin

In the wild, this orchid occurs from the cool mountains of the Himalayas to the jungle of New Guinea and the Australian desert, usually on branches of trees as an epiphyte (which means that they grow on other plants and trees without drawing nutrients from them). It’s a strong plant which can tolerate hot days and cold nights. There are around 1200 different species of Dendrobium. The earliest mention of the orchid in the West was in  1799, in a description by Olof Schwartz.

 

Photo: Thejoyofplants.co.uk

 

Care tips:

• Position: preferably a light spot, but no direct sunlight.
• Immerse the pot for half an hour with a small dose of orchid food once every 10 to 14 days, then leave to drain thoroughly.
• If the air indoors is very dry, e.g. because of central heating, it’s best to mist an orchid’s buds every day. This prevents them from drying out and not opening.
• The orchid will keep looking its best with some ‘benign neglect’. Remove wilted flowers, but otherwise leave the plant alone.
• Dendrobium is known to flower again if you can be patient for a couple of months.

 

Source: Thejoyofplants.co.uk

Are you ready for compliments on the way your home smells? With this DIY scented sticks with Cambria and tuberose, you can bring the smell of winter into your home in 4 simple steps. This way you don’t only enjoy the lovely smells of this season outside, but also inside.

 

Scented sticks with Cambria

 

Also read: DIY: Gift wrapping with orchids

 

 

What you need (for 100 ml)

• Tuberose
• Cambria
• 50 ml unscented (baby) oil. You can also use almond oil.
• 30 ml of 70% alcohol
• Optional: 20 ml organic, pure essential oil*.
• A jar or small vase (where you can put the scented sticks)
• Bamboo sticks or skewers
• Measuring cup
• Bottle with cap (for mixing the fragrance)

*Think of fragrances such as cedar, cinnamon, patchouli, pine, vanilla, mandarin and clove. If you have pets, ensure they don’t ingest any of the essential oils as they can be harmful.

How to make it

Step 1

Pour 50 ml of unscented oil, 30 ml of alcohol and 20 ml of essential oil into the bottle in which you are going to mix the perfume. Screw the cap tightly on the bottle and shake the bottle gently so that the liquids mix together.

Step 2

Carefully cut a few flowers off the tuberose and Cambria and put them in the pot or vase. You can also add other flowers, as you wish.

Step 3

Pour the liquid mixture from the bottle on top of the flowers in the pot or vase. Put the sticks in.

Step 4

You will need to be patient for about an hour to be able to smell the scent properly, and then… enjoy! Ideal as a night perfume for your bedside table, or for the smallest room in the house. Tip: don’t forget to replace the scented sticks regularly to keep the fragrance as fresh as possible.

 

 

Source: Thejoyofplants.co.uk