Paph insigne, floppy leaves

[headbanger333]

Hello all,
My insigne has always had floppy leaves even after watering. I've heard that some varieties of orchid do naturally have hanging down leaves, but do not know whether insigne is one of them. I have had it for 3 years and seems to grow slowly, but not flower. It had a flower when I first got it though. It is kept indoors in good light.
Thanks for any comments.
Kathy

[Roberta]

Have you repotted it? Paphs like to be repotted every 2 years or so - if the bark has broken down, you may lose roots that that could lead to floppy leaves because the plant can't take up sufficient water. After repotting, new growth will produce new roots - the older "deprived" growth will probably stay floppy. Paphs in general grow slowly. I have found that Paph insigne is quite cold tolerant - if your winters stay above freezing it may do better outside. Since you are well into autumn, wait until spring to move it outside, then it can acclimate through the subsequent seasons.

[aliceinwl]

I have a Paphiopedilum Leanum which is half P. insigne. It had two mature fans when I bought and had never bloomed before. I had it for over two years and it finally flowered this spring for the first time. My Leaum is temperature tolerant which I believe is true for P. insigne too. I grow mine outside with my Cymbidiums so it gets a good winter cool down. I heard Leanum is vigorous but mine seems to grow slowly. I did put it in a brighter part of the garden (still shaded) last year which seemed to help it put on more growth last summer than the first year I had it.

If you’re growing indoors, maybe it needs more of a cool down?

[orchidsarefun]

I don't see many insigne around - for sale or at shows, so I can't comment on whether there are floppy leaf cultivars. Unlike St Swithin where I have seen good examples of both types.
However my insigne is not floppy leafed. It basically has 6 months of temps 55-60f and 6 months of temps 60-100f. Its big - having 4-5 new growths currently and that's in cooler temps. If you can, start adapting yours to similar, cooler conditions.

[headbanger333]

Thanku all very much. Come Spring I will start aclimating to outside living under cover. In meantime I shall check the medium it is currently in.
Katht