Paphiopedilum Potting Mix - Orchid Board

Nepenthesis · #1 01-05-2014, 10:55 PM

I potted my newly acquired Phragmipediums in a mixture of 70% orchid bark, 15% Sphagnum and 15% charcoal. They are sitting in shallow dishes of water.

Would the same mix be appropriate for Paphiopedilums? Can I set them in shallow dishes of water as well, but refill a day after the dish completely dries up to give them time to dry out a bit? I remember being told they like to dry out to a lightly moist state between waterings.

I'm growing in a greenhouse that is in full sun for more than half of the day. 60% humidity in the day and around 90% humidity at night. Nights in the 50s (no lower than 50F on a cold winter night) and days in the 70s to 80s depending on season.

WhiteRabbit · #2 01-06-2014, 07:38 PM

Other than semi or passive hydro, I wouldn't recommend leaving Paphs standing in water, tho if it dries quickly, and no more water is added until media requires it, it may ok.

I think that potting mix should be fine.

I'm sure other members with more Paph experience than myself will chime I'm and have advice.

Bulbofett · #3 01-06-2014, 07:52 PM

Since these guys are terrestrial orchids I tend to shy away from bark unless its a fine bark mixture. I have one of my phrags in mainly sponge rock sphagnum mixture, and it seems to enjoy that.

I don't grow in a greenhouse though so I'm not sure if that kind of mixture would hold too much moisture for you or not. Paphs I'd imagine have similar requirements, being terrestrials as well.

I'd be extra careful with the full sun though. If your greenhouse has those shade cloths it might be something to consider. I have a T5 grow light, and my paph lost a leaf from burn. It wasn't even that close to the light, or so I thought.

jeremyinsf · #4 01-06-2014, 07:53 PM

Why are you mixing Sphagnum moss in?

In both cases (I'm asking the question twice!)...

I agree you should not leave Paphs standing in water.

Bulbofett · #5 01-06-2014, 08:00 PM

Because it works? haha

Its not the typical sphagnum you see phals potted in. Its a finer type. Mainly sponge rock in my mix. The paph I have is mainly in a fine bark mixture (no sphag) with sponge rock. I could be doing it all wrong, but there it is.

I was told that the terrestrials like a finer bark or sphag and the epiphytes like the bark chunks (in a nutshell) so I have my Masdevallia, Phrag, and Paph in a finer mixture and everyone else in a chunk mixture.

Am I doing it incorrectly?

jeremyinsf · #6 01-06-2014, 08:08 PM

"incorrectly" is a matter of perspective :-) You should do whatever works for YOU, as that is all that matters with your plants.

I ask because it's just that it breaks down so much faster and is perhaps not necessary.

In both these plants cases, typically you want good movement and drainage, while retaining moisture, so often sponge rock (perlite) or lava rock is added instead. These do not break down (obviously) the way sphag does. Even the good kinds.

Sometimes sphag is added as a 'transition medium' when moving from a sphag ball to something like coarse bark. In this case, it helps the roots stay moist as they acclimate to the new conditions.

But again do whatever works for you - I was just curious what the basis was for it.

I still wouldn't leave Paphs in standing water, no matter what kind they are.

Bulbofett · #7 01-06-2014, 08:13 PM

Oh yeah, definitely no standing water. After my phrag is done blooming I'll remove the sphag though and see if it likes that.

Thanks for your input! Learning right along with Nepenthesis

The Orchid Boy · #8 01-08-2014, 10:51 PM

Although most people dislike sphagnum, I think it's great. I grow at least one of everything that I have in sphagnum. Catts, oncidiums, paphs, phrags, phals, ect.

Nepenthesis · #9 01-09-2014, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Orchid Boy

Although most people dislike sphagnum, I think it's great. I grow at least one of everything that I have in sphagnum. Catts, oncidiums, paphs, phrags, phals, ect.

Yeah, that's what I grow all of my Nepenthes in as well. It's so convenient and holds a lot of water -- but that may be a problem for paphs from what I understand.

I'll probably do like 30% Sphag, 50% bark and 20% charcoal. I noticed that my phrags dry out on the surface after 2-3 days, despite being in water dishes.