How Long Does a Paphiopedilum Lawrenceanum Bloom?

Flowering Season

• Lawrence's slipper orchid potentially blooms any time of year, provided climatic conditions are conducive. The flower most regularly occurs in mid to late spring, but can develop as late as early summer. A second annual flowering in fall isn't uncommon. When nighttime temperatures dip down near 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit over a period of about 30 days, the plant tends to create a new flower stem. The plant doesn't bloom constantly; a period of two to 10 months passes in between flowering episodes.

Blossom Duration

• All tropical slipper orchids tend to display their flowers for a long time, upwards of two to three months. The Lawrence's slipper orchid maintains a perfect flower for at least six weeks. Proper watering, bright indirect light, temperatures no hotter than 80 F or colder than 65 F preserve the blossom even longer. If grown indoors, keep the plant and flower away from drying cold or hot drafts, and elevate humidity to a level upward of 50 percent. Do not mist plants directly, however.

Grex Variation

• The hybrids created by crossing orchids are known as grexes. Species Paphiopedilum lawrencianum is a parent to many modern orchid grexes, as seen on the plant label. Among individual plants in this species, or its grexes, the precise timing, flower qualities and blossom duration varies. A six-week flowering period is standard for any slipper orchid, and can be extended with good orchid growing conditions and care.

Plant Age

• A healthy Lawrence's slipper orchid plant will produce flowers annually for many years. If grown properly and free from disease and insect pest infestations, one plant can endure for several decades. As the plant enlarges, side branching readily occurs, making a clumplike mass of leaves. Each branch, with supporting foliage, can produce flowers as it matures over several years.