Mexipedium xerophyticum
 

Mexipedium xerophyticum

Mexipedium xerophyticum is one of those rare plants that can be considered a succulent and an orchid. In the most strict sense of the word, I suppose that these aren't truly succelents despite the implications of the species name, xerophyticum -- the base word xerophyte is a term that's usually used for plants that grow in in very dry dessert conditions. These ladyslipper orchids are actually found in relatively moist oases in the Oxaca region of Mexico.

The Ladyslipper Orchids are comprised of the following genera: Phragmipedium, Selenipedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, and Cypripedium. Most genera are tropical, except Cypripediums, which grow in temperate regions (and some subtropical areas) throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

At one point Mexipedium xerophyticum was thought to be extinct in the wild because the only known location that they grew succumb to wild fire, but they've recently been rediscovered. This is a fairly recently discovered species, and Mexipedium is a monotypical genus (there's only 1 species of Mexipedium). It was initially classified as a Phragmipedium (another tropical South American slipper genus), and is now believed to be a bit of an evolutionary "missing link" between the old world slippers (Paphiopedilum) and the new world slippers (Phragmipedium).

The individual growths (fans) are quite small, but emerge on long stolons. It's tough to keep this species in a pot. I'm growing mine in a bonsai pot, and I have to work hard to persuade the growths to stay inside. The potting mix is mostly fine grade fir bark, mixed with charcoal and perlite. I've added lots of egg shell and aragonite to increase the calcium levels. The flowers appear on dainty spikes that emerge in Spring. Spikes can be branched, although this plant has yet to produce branched spikes. The flowers are extremely small compared to all other slipper orchids. These bloom sequentially like most Phragmipediums, where individual flowers only last a week or few, and drop off after the newest bloom opens.

I am no expert in growing this species, but I keep it drier in the winter, and water frequently this time of year (summer). Nevertheless, rot is an always present threat for a perpetual over waterer like myself. They like bright light. I grow this plant indoors under 4 foot LED shoplights, and that seems to be sufficient to get the plant to bloom. Growing indoors, my plants don't receive extreme temperatures. However, in the winter, things tend to be 10F - 15F cooler at night than during the day, and in summer, temps fluctuate around 5F or less day and night. Average daytime temps are between 70F (21C) - 80F (27C). I fertilize regularly from Spring to mid Fall (March - October in northern hemisphere).

In winter, this plant gets slightly cooler temps, significantly reduced watering, and no fertilizer.

Mexipedium xerophyticum is not too hard to find, but can be quite expensive. It's not uncommon to see a single growth mature sized plant going for $35 USD to $50 USD. Outside of North America, prices can be even higher. If you're buying one, don't bother with young seedlings unless you're an experienced grower. These can be very finicky and tricky to grow. Mature, blooming sized plants are much more forgiving.


These aren't the best photos. Unfortunatly, I didn't take any better pics. These are from mid May 2017, and the plant just dropped its last flower today. There were 2 spikes.

http://i.imgur.com/TnTo7kXl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/zN1PCMBl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/b798wXYl.jpg

Be careful. This is not a succulent at all, and it doesn't grow in a desert. It grows on damp cliff faces of a very rare rock formation on the isthmus of Teuhántepec in Oaxaca, México. It grows among mosses, ferns and begonias.

Some time ago isurus79 posted this informative link:
Mexipedium xerophyticum

The above has a link to a PDF of an article in Spanish. Even if you cannot read Spanish, you should look at the article - it has color habitat photos of the plant and the surroundings.

Cool! This is always a fun one.

Is that the one you got from OT? Has it grown that much?!

It looks great :)

Look up this title on Youtube: Wild Orchids in Oaxaca Mexico - A family expedition!

This is a good tour by someone specifically looking for orchids.

Cool, thanks for the heads up!

See slipperorchids.info

I sold mine as I was keeping it to dry and the humidity here is too low. But now I understand the culture better I would get another and grow it with my Phrags a little more closely.

I must have over looked this thread & comment. Sorry for the late reply.

No, this is the one from Looking Glass, which is an off shoot of Owens. The one from Orchid Trail is still kicking, but it's given me more trouble.

---------- Post added at 08:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:34 AM ----------

In the winter, these do need to be kept on the dry side. Too much water and they'll rot at the drop of a hat. In the spring & summer they seem to like a fair amount of water, enough to keep the moss happy.

It's definitely more of a botanical oddity and an acquired taste and not a plant I'd recommend for everybody due to the small flowers, rambling growth, and the fact that it's a little more demanding than a Phal. However, if you have the patience and interest, then it's a great orchid to have.

Honestly, if you grow it more like a Cattleya, its very easy to grow!!