Phragmipedium popowii

 I think its about time I do a lady slipper orchid. Lady slippers really are a mesmerizing flower type. At first glance you might not believe it is a flower at all, it looks more like some sort of carnivorous pitcher plant then it does a flower. The lip of these orchids has been modified so that when an insect comes in for a peek it falls and becomes traped inside the flower. The only way that it can get out is by grasping the hairs lining the back portion of the lip and pulling its way up past the stigmatic surface, thus pollinating the flower.

Given the strange nature of these flowers I have chose an especially strange example of them. Phrag popowii (Syn.  warscewiczianum) has one of the most unique looking flowers out there there. The dorsal pedals are capably of reaching up to 3 feet long! It has a deep maroon pouch with no notable fragrance.

Popowii are native to Guatamala through Peru where it grows in the canopies of trees or on rock faces. They also have been found growing along banks of streams. Their roots are always covered by moss or some other vegetation and are not capable of growing freely exposed.

Popowii can be tricky to grow, they like a little more light then most orchids, 2000 foot candle or 400 micromoles. They are a cool grower so try to keep them around 75 degrees Fahrenheit