tiny paph seedling - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 09-04-2008, 12:18 PM

Hi everyone,
Another paph question.

I have a tiny little paph seeding that I've only had about 4 wks (a lil ebay plant...pictures attached). I have been wondering what the name tag says, so I decided to ask you, the experts, what your thoughts are. It says something like: "paph. villosom". I'm not sure I'm typing the word correctly, but I'm hoping that some of you might tell enough from it to get an idea of what it really says. Is it too early in the game to expect much or any obvious growth ?? The reason I ask is because I just repotted it out of the sphag I repotted it in after I rec'd it (I always repot initially after getting a new orchid) because I wanted to be sure that the roots looked ok since I was seeing nothing happening.....and nothing was.....the roots look the same as they did then. Actually, I'm not sure what they are supposed to look like, since this in only my 2nd paph. My main point of knowing the name is to hopefully determine if this particular paph requires somewhat different growing conditions as opposed to the basic paph care I read about here on the net. How does a mixture of small fir bark, perlite, charcoal and a bit of chopped sphag sound for this one? From what I have read, a paph is a rather easy-to-grow orchid, but I'm beginning to wonder if maybe I'm just not a "paph person" since both of them are just "standing still". Can't help wonder why they're not growing?!

Can you help me out, please?

Thanks in advance,
Vicki

Ross · #2 09-04-2008, 12:35 PM

I don't recognize this guy, but the roots look fine. Sometimes these little guys can take all the patience you can muster. Other times you can almost see the progress from day to day. Hang in there.

Dorothy · #3 09-04-2008, 12:37 PM

I believe Paphiopedilum villosum is the name -

Perhaps this will help you -
IOSPE PHOTOS

jim blanford · #4 09-04-2008, 12:46 PM

Like Ross said hang in there, it's a neat little paph. and easy to grow.

Ross · #5 09-04-2008, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim blanford

Like Ross said hang in there, it's a neat little paph. and easy to grow.

Some really neat color variations as well. I look forward to seeing the first bloom. Might be a while, but I'll wait

shakkai · #6 09-04-2008, 02:14 PM

The Paph seedling mix that I use is fine grade bark, perlite and charcoal mixed 5:1:1. Your little seedling may take some time to settle in, but once its starts growing again the progress seems to be pretty steady.

VickiC · #7 09-04-2008, 03:50 PM

Thank you, Dorothy.....I felt pretty sure you would come through for me with a name. I found
Paphiopedilum villosum info on the net, and I also looked at the link you sent. From what I could understand there, it is a cool-cold growing orchid ?? Since that is the case, I assume I should care for it somewhat differently than my others (catts., dens, phals, etc.), especially water-wise ?? Should I try to keep it constantly slightly moist, or not? I would appreciate any info you can share with me.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorothy

I believe Paphiopedilum villosum is the name -

Perhaps this will help you -
IOSPE PHOTOS

VickiC · #8 09-04-2008, 04:15 PM

Hi,
I'm glad to know the roots look ok.

I combined the things I mentioned and repotted it. It looks so cute and dainty in it's tiny lil pot, so I know you're right about seeing the first bloom...."might be a while", you said. Yep....sure will be

(granted I am lucky enuff to actually enjoy a bloom someday!) Trust me, if there is, all of you will be the first to see it after I do.

Best I try to save up my money and buy much larger plants because (as I have said before) patience is definitely not one of my virtues. I wish....so I'm trying to work on that, but with little success so far, unfortunately. At this point, though....I want to see day-to-day progress lol

I looked at the link Dorothy sent to me, and I agree.....I really like the color combinations, too!
Thanks again,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

I don't recognize this guy, but the roots look fine. Sometimes these little guys can take all the patience you can muster. Other times you can almost see the progress from day to day. Hang in there.

VickiC · #9 09-04-2008, 04:21 PM

Thanks for replying, Jim. As I mentioned to Ross, I often have a hard time "hanging there" with anything. lol I'm sure trying, though. Being a newbie, I have found that orchid growing, for the most part, is not an instant thing. I really want to learn how, so I'm working hard on my patience (but I don't expect to have to wait ALL the time lol)
Thanks again,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim blanford

Like Ross said hang in there, it's a neat little paph. and easy to grow.

VickiC · #10 09-04-2008, 04:31 PM

Thank you. I don't have access to buying fine grade bark here....all I can get is a "one-size-fits-all" Better-Gro orchid mix from Lowes, but I think I basically used what you do. I didn't use the ratio that you do, though, because I had already repotted it before I read your post.....so please keep your fingers crossed that it will work for me.

I'm looking forward to when it decides to start growing more because I think steady progress is a good thing (makes me feel like I did something right

).

Thanks again,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakkai

The Paph seedling mix that I use is fine grade bark, perlite and charcoal mixed 5:1:1. Your little seedling may take some time to settle in, but once its starts growing again the progress seems to be pretty steady.