Paphiopedilum sukhakulii aka Sukhakul's Paphiopedilum

Paphiopedilum sukhakulii is an orchid from northeastern Thailand. It stays green all year. Its family is Orchidaceae, the orchid family. Its home has a wet, tropical climate. This small plant lives for years. It forms clumps of leafy rosettes, or rings of leaves. Grow it in indoor pots, conservatories, or warm greenhouses. Its leaf patterns add interest between blooms.

Plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet [0.1–0.5 metres] in height and spread. They take five to ten years to reach full size. The narrow, oval leaves have patches of pale and dark green. Each flower stem grows straight up from a rosette's centre. Stems measure about 0.43 feet [0.13 metres] long. Each bears one flower, about 0.33–0.46 feet [0.10–0.14 metres] across.

The flower's lip forms a pouch in brown to purple shades. Broad, yellow-green petals grow on each side of the pouch. They have many dark spots and dark hairs along their edges. The upper sepal has a white-to-green base with green stripes. Two joined side sepals sit mostly behind the pouch. Insects enter the pouch, then follow a route out. They touch pollen on the way, which helps pollination. Chicago Botanic Garden lists blooms in May–June and September–October.

Give this orchid bright light, screened from direct sun. Use a bark-based orchid mix that drains well. Add sphagnum moss and perlite, or crushed limestone chips. The RHS lists a neutral pH. Water when the mix is close to dry. Do not leave it dry for long. The plant has no pseudobulbs to store water. Do not leave its pot standing in water. Do not keep the mix wet for long periods. Raise the air's moisture level in summer. Avoid heavy misting and watering from above. Feed with every third watering.

The RHS advises summer temperatures of 20–25°C. It advises 18–22°C in winter. Its H1A rating calls for year-round protection above 15°C. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 10–12. You do not need to prune it. Split mature plants when they outgrow their pots. Keep at least three healthy, rooted rosettes in each part. Growing plants from seed needs controlled lab conditions. Few pests or diseases trouble this orchid, though mealybugs may occur. Cold and watering from above can cause bacterial rot within rosettes.