Quote:
Originally Posted by HighSeas
 I can't grow them. I am STILL trying to figure out why, SO I thought I'd just ask around....Who can grow Paphs and who can't?
Please tell us HOW you grow yours...or what folks do wrong. Please include your media, watering, additives, humidity and light.
Thanks!!!  |
What kind of Paphs are you interested in growing?
If you've been following a few of the threads that I mentioned Paphs in, you'll know that at least 2 species are true epiphytes.
Paph villosum is an epiphyte.
Here're a couple of links to prove that I'm not talking nonsense:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/10377606@N08/4429889396/
Paphiopedilum vilosum colony on Lithocarpus truncatus, Thai-Laos border photo - Pieter C. Brouwer photos at pbase.com
These are not the only photos out there that verifies that
Paph villosum is a true epiphyte.
There is a book called "Wild Orchids In Myanmar Volume 1: Last Paradise of Wild Orchids", written by Yoshitaka Tanaka. It has a few photographs to document that
Paph villosum is a true epiphyte.
Paph villosum is also a tropical Paph. You would have no problem with the temperature and humidity requirements.
Another Paph that has been mentioned as being an epiphyte is
Paphiopedilum delenatii. I cannot find any kind of photos of this orchid in-situ online. I would have to give the account the benefit of the doubt.
Paph delenatii is a tropical growing orchid and can be grown in your temperature zone quite easily. The humidity of Florida should also suit this species quite well.
If you're failing because you keep choosing Paph species that come from China or Paph hybrids that contain genetic material from Chinese Paphs, then you're going to bomb every single time unless you can manage to keep them cool enough.
1. You need to pick Paphs that are tropical growing.
2. To start off with, try the epiphytes first, before delving into the lithophytes.
Lithophytic Paphs are challenging because they grow on limestone rocks.
Most people do not grow their lithophytic Paphs in limestone. So if you're growing lithophytic Paphs and you're bombing, this might be one of the reasons why. Limestone is made of primarily calcium carbonate. If you're ever wondering why no matter which forum you go to, people who have actual growing experience with Paphs tell you to add some calcium in the mix or with your watering schedule, this is why. If you've ever worked with limestone as a potting media, you'll know that those orchids are getting quite a bit of calcium.
The thing about limestone rocks is that, while it does retain water to some degree, it doesn't hold it for very long. You ever pay attention to the roots on your lithophytic Paphs? Ever see that when these Paphs are grown in wood chips, they often times than not for many people, tend to rot out easily? Now you know why.
Here's another reason why lithophytic Paphs can be a problem when they are grown as epiphytes…
Organic material such as fir bark tend to decompose over time, especially when they are kept moist or wet.
The pH of this material is acidic. Limestone is alkaline. It has a pH of about 8.0. pH is also another factor that needs to be given attention to. Without the proper pH, the orchid can suffer some physiological problems.
This is quite honestly one of the reasons I don't generally recommend Paphs to beginners. It is difficult to generalize growing requirements with Paphs. And the cultural requirements can be quite odd.
My recommendation for you are
Paph delenatii and
Paph villosum for now, unless you think you're ready for the lithophytic Paphs.
The 2 Paphs I recommended grow in moderately bright indirect light.
I, myself, am currently growing
Paphiopedilum vietnamense, I grow this species indoors all year round because it is a tropical species of Paph. It is grown as a lithophyte with limestone rocks, because it is naturally a lithophyte growing on limestone rocks. The orchid does have a light dormancy period during the winter, so I reduce the watering in the winter. It is grown in moderately bright indirect light. At the moment I have observed that it is a slow grower, but it could easily change once the orchid has grown a stronger root system. Right now, the orchid only has 1 surviving mature root out of the 2 that it had originally came with when I first purchased it. It is currently starting to push out several new roots from the base of the plant. So far, I have had it for about 2 years.
Note: I try not to disturb Paphs too much. It is easy to damage roots by accident and some don't produce a whole lot of roots in an expedient manner.
On the subject of Paphs...
I just want to go hari-kari on her as I buy my 578,532nd beautiful Paph that will be dead tomorrow! 
I've spent hours reading....oogling beautiful plants with gorgeous blooms...hoping that one day, I too, would have a few of my favorites blooming and happy. Apparently, I need to read more! 
It is now ending its 3+ month bloom cycle. In the pic, notice moss growing in the center where moisture is retained longer. This Paph is in an air pot nestled inside a plastic pot with no drain holes to enhance humidity.
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