Paph Delenatii advice

[Jennyfleur]

Hi Everyone

After finding somewhere in the UK that had one in stock, I have finally taken the plunge and ordered a paph delenatii, which I have thought about getting for ages! I have a young hybrid (Shin-Yi-Isabel x delenatii) which is growing well, but I though I'd ask all you wise folks out there if there are any quirks I should keep in mind when the new one arrives? All my orchids live in the house rather than outside/ greenhouse. The plant I'm expecting should be fairy established, and so I was hoping to minimise the in-house experimentation (in terms of lighting, temp, water/ feed etc) so it settles down nicely.

Happy Growing

[Jennyfleur]

Quick Update: She has now arrived and hopefully you can see the pictures attached

[Hedge]

Hi Jenny

She looks like a very healthy plant, which is always a good start. I have a delanatii x chamberlainium which i got this summer from Italy. I assumed that in a green house there, even if part shaded, it would have had very good light, so I placed it near an East facing window, only shading it on very warm days. It is now in the window except at night, and it stands on a pebble tray which is kept moist. The temperature range is roughly 16 - 25, which I know is a little warm, but I don't have air cooling so it has to cope! I water once a week to ten days, using rain water (when available) or tap water, which has come to room temperature, and I feed with a proprietary orchid feed 3 waterings out of 4.

I must be doing something right as it has now flowered! Since this picture was taken, a second bud has also opened.

I hope this will help you, I don't know your particular hybrid, but this is what has worked for me.

[Jennyfleur]

Oo, thanks Hedge. It's the light/ water level I think I was worried about the most. The young hybrid I bought earlier in the year (Shin-Yi-Isabel x delenatii) started in a brighter position than it's in now after the leaves went ever so slightly yellow around the edges, but it's fine now and the new growth looks good That' why I was wondering what the actual Delenatii would like - it seems to be ok so far in a slightly brighter position, but that's probably because it's now september and the other was tried there in june/july!

I hope I have the same results as you though, that's a truly lovely bloom. Thanks again x