The orchid Paphiopedilum wenshanense Z. J. Liu & J. Yong Zhang is categorized as a Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations and a grade I national key protected plant. As a result of overexploitation for its beautiful flowers, P. wenshanense has extremely small populations, and its natural distribution range is limited. Additionally, its habitat is fragmented by urbanization. Only 431 wild individuals of P. wenshanense, in three populations, are known, in Shiping and Yanshan Counties in Yunnan Province, China. The three populations are not located within a protected area.

Many threatened plants, including P. wenshanense, have weak reproductive capacity in the wild. Tissue culture is an efficient way to multiply such threatened orchid species for conservation purposes. In June 2022, with the support of a conservation programme (grant number: 2021SJ14X-09) of Yunnan Forestry and Grassland Bureau, aseptic seed germination protocols for P. wenshanense were successfully developed in Kunming Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Germination began after 30 days, with a germination rate of 70%, and root development after an additional 30 days. Seedlings could be planted after a further 2 months of growth, and survival rate was c. 95%.

Following this success, population reintroduction or reinforcement measures can be used to assist the recovery of this threatened species in the wild. We are planning to establish a near situ conservation population of P. wenshanense within the Wenshan Laojun Mountains National Nature Reserve through working with the local forestry and grassland bureau. In addition, conservation of the remaining wild populations and their habitats is required. Public education is also necessary, particularly for local residents, to prevent further exploitation of this plant species. To encourage the legal use or commercialization of this beautiful but threatened species, we will be sharing our knowledge and expertise with local farmers and planting enterprises.