Paphiopedilum hookerae

Paph. hookerae is one of the most intriguing and beautiful specie from Borneo. It's in the Barbata section of the slipper orchid. The leaf is typical of the group with contrasting silvery light and dark green. There is slight variation on the leaf as some clone has more blueish over all hue while other has more green hue. You will get more beautiful foliage if you grow it under low light, but just enough exposure needed to induce bloom.

What set hookerae apart from other species from the same group is the weird flower. Pouch from this group typically has a pointed 'V' shaped lip. The pouch of hookerae has a smaller than usual opening and it blow up in the mid section resembling the pouch of North American pitcher plant. The petal is 'Paddle' shaped and held slightly below 45 degree angle and its dark green base with bright purple or amethyst to the tip. The dorsal is solid light green with lighter green around margin.

Paph. hookerae is one of the slowest growing paphiopedilum specie. The new growth typically take about two years to get mature on normal healthy plant, which is still alot faster than some of the notorious paph species like stonei, mastersianum and emersonii. It doesn't produce many new growths like other members of Barbata section, so you will rarely see a specieman plant of hookerae with multiple flowering spikes. It also like less fertilizer than its' cousins and need fresh medium for optimal growth. I recommend repotting this specie every year. It also a warm grower and prefer temperature above 65 degree year round. The flower spike is long and very slow growing and take usually about two months or more before it bloom. The flower last over 6 weeks, but I normally cut of the spike after 4 weeks to conserve energy for the plant.

Due to its slow growth and seed germination, hookerae is hard to find from vendors and its more expansive than average paph species. You can expect to pay anywhere from $75-100 for a plant and there is no guarantee it will be a mature blooming plant. You might have to search a bit for reputable vendor and even if you manage to get a hand on a seedling, be prepare for a little patient as it will take one or two more years to get mature than its cousin like barbata, appletonianum, purpurantum, etc. Never the less, if you manage to get one it will delight you with its beautiful flower and interesting leaf. All you need is a little patient and attend to its careful, but not overly demanding culture.