Strange And Rare Orchids?

Hi Orchid Lovers. Been a while since I posted here. Wasn't for lack of interest I assure you, but rather lack of suitable materials for what I think could make a worthwhile post. And now I think I have one. I do hope you like it.

For this post I would like to feature another plant which I saw in the plant and flower market here in our city. This is also where I saw the Vandas I featured here many weeks ago. This plant is also an orchid but it's bloom is quite different from a normal orchid flower.

I got interested in this oddly shaped orchid as people are normally attracted to strange things. I looked it up in the internet and this is what I discovered.

Paphiopedilum ciliolare is a species of flowering plant in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. It is known commonly as the short haired paphiopedilum. It is endemic to the Philippines. This is a rare orchid with a total wild population of fewer than 2500 mature individuals. It is also commonly known as lady's slipper orchids or simply slipper orchids. Wikipedia

Although the statement that it is rare has been debunked and considered a myth. It is not rare anymore as they are now easily propagated by plants and ornamental growers such as this plant store or by practically anyone. The orchids are sold in varying stages of growth or maturity. Here you can buy the matured plant, which would be really expensive at $50 a pot. See photo below.

Or you can buy a seedling with the buds just beginning to grow for $25 a pot. See below.

Or just buy the seedling and wait for it to bud and bloom which will take more time but a lot cheaper at $5 a pot.

They are characterised by the slipper-shaped pouches (modified labella) or lips of the flowers hence the name. It isn't as showy as her other orchid relatives but it does have its own innate beauty that grows on you. More like moldy cheese or dry wine of which preference is an acquired taste.