Paphiopedilum wardii is one of the cooler growing species within the “mottled leaf” foliage group of Paphiopedilum; most others in this group tend towards a warmer preference. This species grows well warmer too, and currently resides with other mottled leaf Paphiopedilum in our warm room under LED grow lights.
Paphiopedilum wardii is native to southwestern China and northern Myanmar, at elevations of 1200-1600m, but very rare and declining in its native habitat (75% population loss in the past 25 years). This plant is, of course, nursery raised (from the cross of Paphiopedilum wardii ‘Freckles’ AM/AOS x sib).
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