Paphiopedilum questions

[The Mutant]

As some of you know, I've recently boosted my Paph collection from one to 13 and I'm trying to figure out which one needs what.

This is what I've come up with so far:

Paph. heleane, purpuratum, and venustum want a colder and dryer period in order to bloom (dryer as in less water, not lower humidity levels).

Paph. gratrixianum and villosum, appletonianum all want a colder period but no dry one to bloom. (I haven't gotten the gratrixianum or the villosum yet, but will get them this month)

Paph. callosum and philippinense want a bit of a dry period, but no colder one to bloom.

Paph. ciliolare, lawrenceanum, superbiens, and urbanianum all want it a bit "warmer" and no real dry periods at all.

So, have I understood everything correct about these guys? I grow them all on my windowsill together with my Phals, but I think I'll be able to provide for a bit of colder temperatures (not as cold as some of them might wish for, but a bit of a temperature drop should be possible to arrange) for some weeks at least. I've already provided those that want calcium with some crushed oyster shells in their substrate, so that has been taken care of.

Anything else I should think about? Except trying to keep the humidity levels relatively high (I've placed the Paphs on trays to increase the levels around each plant and I'm keeping the general humidity level at at least 50%).

[The Mutant]

Nobody has anything to say regarding my questions?

[Ray]

I treat all my paphs the same.

Low/intermediate light levels, 60°F minimums, high humdity (even if they don't really need it), and feeding at 75 ppm N every time they get watered, which can be 1-2 times per week in winter, 2-3 this time of year.

[The Mutant]

Thanks for your reply Ray!

So you do this despite some of them having a dry period from where they come from? Do you have all of the species I've listed?

Do you think they'll do fine even if i can't provide temperatures as low as 60°F? Without trying, I can give them about 64°F and I think I could go even lower (I've never lowered the heat on the radiator in my kitchen before, so it'll be an interesting experiment. I usually have it on full blast during the entire winter and end up with temperatures around 64,4°F). How long should they have these lower temperatures? Six weeks like Phals?

[Paul Mc]

Don't quote me cuz I'm new to paph's myself, but my understanding was that dry does not mean actually dry. They want constant moisture generally but not sopping wet. I'll admit that I let all orchids dry a bit more in winter more than any other season though, but I still water them about once or twice a week, mostly.

I am very new to paphs myself and mostly have parvis and multies,but also have purpuratum, barbigerum and henryanum. I noticed you have one multifloral too. From what I learned, multies need quite bright (almost cattleya bright) light, so I keep all paphs in the basement where it is a bit cooler and less light, but my Lady Isabel and St.Swithin are up at the south-east window.
I also noticed that purpuratum is a thirsty plant and needs watering a bit more often than others, and if I miss that -the leaves droop(almost like coleus), but after watering - they quickly perk up again.
I am still in the search of perfect medium. Half of my paphs are in bark mix, the other half - in chc.I am not sure which one I like better yet.
Good luck with your paphs!

[RJSquirrel]

Rays a sharp guy and he knows splitting hairs between paphs on temps,humidity, dry seasons are going a bit too far. Most paphs will grow and flourish in a zone thats middling to the upper and lower ranges of temps and humidity. There is a happy middle of the road they will all do well in is what Im saying. And besides I dont think you could possibly actually provide anything similar to a paphs home turf in or around your home. Species might require you to be more specific but even then they will fall into a culture range that hybrids endure and enjoy

paphs grow on rocks and crooked branches in trees so a perfect medium is .....none