New babies! Some paphs and a den. spectabile....

[Vrana]

Alright, so they aren't exactly babies... more like... adolescents, maybe? They are in 3" pots, with leaf spans of the paphs at 9.5 - 10.5" (I think I'm measuring that right - I assume leaf span is from the tip of one leaf to the tip of the opposite leaf?) I was a little apprehensive about getting plants this young since I'm still so new to growing orchids, but, the prices were right, and I thought it might be fun to watch these little guys mature.

They are (from left to right... assuming I did this right... Also, excuse my taxonomy - I'm still a little murky about how the whole hybrid naming format goes):



Dendrobium Spectabile. I've been coveting one of these since the first time I saw a picture of one. I realize it'll be a long time before I see those awesome squiddy blooms, but it'll so be worth it! I did research a bit about the culture and found that it needs a slight rest in winter to bloom. But obviously this one is far from blooming size, so is there any harm in caring for it more or less as usual come winter for the next couple years?

Paph. Frank Smith (rothschildianum x norito hasegawa). I just love all the parvi/roth hybrids, and anything green... Can't wait to see this one bloom! I am a bit concerned about that crusty white line in the center of one leaf - I'm guessing it's mechanical damage? I doesn't come off when I try to scrape it, and it hasn't gotten any worse since I got it last week...

Paph. Sanders Pride x Phillipinense. I was torn between a bunch of Sanderianum hybrids, but in the end went with this one because it was inexpensive, and I've read that Phillipinense is one of the easier to grow and bloom of the multiflorals so hopefully that'll make this hybrid somewhat novice-friendly. I'm surprised at the color though... Is it supposed be a pale yellow-green like this? There's also a yellow spot on one leaf, and the base of the leaves near the crown are very yellow too. It looks healthy otherwise.

Paph (Lawrenceanum x Colorbox) x (Ruby Leopard x Laser) - A vini hybrid - I'd love for it to be one of those nearly black ones, but I'll have to wait and see... Either way, those mottled leaves are just fantastic - I'd grow this one for the foliage alone!

Anyway, being, as I said, new to all this, I did quite a bit of research on the culture of these guys, and have a pretty good idea what to do. All got re-potted in fresh bark mix as soon as they arrived (all I had was course mix, so I picked out the little pieces as best I could), and are hanging out in a shaded spot in my house for the moment. My question is, is there anything special I should do with them being younger plants? Or would they be considered well past the seedling phase where they can just be cared for as normal?

[Brooke]

I have the spectabile and never let it dry out very long. In the winter it doesn't get watered as often but it does get watered.

Brooke

[shushu45]

I have a spectabile as well. Be carful they are do get moody. Mine is sulking still.

---------- Post added at 04:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:15 PM ----------

Where did you get the paphs??

[SlipperGirl]

Looks like a great order now I really want to order some more paphs its so hard to decide what I want.

[Vrana]

Thanks all for the advice. I know winter is a ways away but it'll be my first with orchids to care for. Been reading up a lot on winter rests and such, and while it does sound that Den. Spectabile will appreciate a bit of neglect in winter if you want it to bloom, it should be fine otherwise to just reduce water/fert for a while, as you would with most orchids.

I got all of these from Orchids by Hausermann. I shopped around quite a bit looking for paphs in particular, and I found they had a really good selection of interesting hybrids for great prices without the need to buy wholesale. I was actually a bit nervous, because I thought, why are they so cheap, but I would absolutely buy from the again. The plants were packed well and healthy. (Upon further research my SanderPhil (as I've dubbed him) may have gotten too much light but is otherwise fine). Although the mix they were potted in was pretty broken down, all the plants had good root systems with new ones starting, and are a good size considering the price - with the exception of Frank Smith, which I decided to splurge on, none were over $10. The most difficult thing about buying from them is having to narrow down choices.

[SlipperGirl]

Originally Posted by Vrana

The most difficult thing about buying from them is having to narrow down choices.

I know what that's like I am planning my next orchid purchase and it is sooooo hard to limit myself