My Multifloral Paphs in Bloom!

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

If the roots at the bottom of the pot are healthy, then I don't see why you need to change.
What you are doing is working for 6 months, and my thoughts are that the roots have adapted in that condition.

Remember that many people grow paphs successfully in S/H culture where the roots are constantly wet.

With this said, I personally prefer "conventional" way to grow paphs. Whatever works.

Beautiful flowers! Congrats and thanks!

All species are programmed to adapt; it's called evolution! And orchids are all marked by a worldclass ab ilty to do just that; it's humbling.

But, my modus vivendi, is to honor those millenia of evolution within each plant, to fathom and meet their needs and not demand they adapt further. After all we are growing them in cultivation. I envision and try to emulate the natural world to the extent I can.

[NYCorchidman]

Uh, yes, we all know that.

I'm just pointing out the fact that there are people who apply S/H culture and their plants do just fine.

I do not grow things in S/H not because I don't believe in it, but rather, it seems like it will take more time and energy watering (all the washing and filling up and drain blah blah) than the way I'm doing now.

So speaking of S/H, many people grow true epiphytes like cattleyas and oncidiums successfully in S/H, so it makes sense that the lady slippers will only do better in such growing method, although not all of them do well.

Also, a thought, since you mentioned trying to emulate the natural world as much as possible.

Growing paphs in a standard (and common) potting mix, not knowing what you use for yours, but most commonly they are grown in orchiata or fir bark mixed with perlite and charcoal, or chc based mix, or sphag, is nothing like how they grow in nature.

In order to grow them in artificial culture, that is just what people came up with and has worked very well for the most part. Basically, something for the plants to hold on to and have some moisture along with great drainage.

I know some people go beyond this and make their leaf litter humus and mix them with sand and other stuff for their paphs, which I heard works equally well or better.

S/H is just another way to grow, and I'm not sure how familiar you are with how it works, but it really is not that different than the conventional method in core principle: provide lots of water and aeration.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Uh, yes, we all know that.

I'm just pointing out the fact that there are people who apply S/H culture and their plants do just fine.

I do not grow things in S/H not because I don't believe in it, but rather, it seems like it will take more time and energy watering (all the washing and filling up and drain blah blah) than the way I'm doing now.

So speaking of S/H, many people grow true epiphytes like cattleyas and oncidiums successfully in S/H, so it makes sense that the lady slippers will only do better in such growing method, although not all of them do well.

Also, a thought, since you mentioned trying to emulate the natural world as much as possible.

Growing paphs in a standard (and common) potting mix, not knowing what you use for yours, but most commonly they are grown in orchiata or fir bark mixed with perlite and charcoal, or chc based mix, or sphag, is nothing like how they grow in nature.

In order to grow them in artificial culture, that is just what people came up with and has worked very well for the most part. Basically, something for the plants to hold on to and have some moisture along with great drainage.

I know some people go beyond this and make their leaf litter humus and mix them with sand and other stuff for their paphs, which I heard works equally well or better.

S/H is just another way to grow, and I'm not sure how familiar you are with how it works, but it really is not that different than the conventional method in core principle: provide lots of water and aeration.

Re my paphs, and, as I have shared, I grow far fewer of those than I do plants in other alliances, I always add some organic material to my bark mix, given they are all terrestrials, and I can feel they like it.

As I also shared, feels like 10 years ago, but wasn't, lol.....at the time Gene of carter and Holmes contacted me after my feature appeared in ORCHIDS, learned I had Paph Swallow 'karen," got very excited, asked to trade a division....which is how I got my WC 'indomitable'.....I was growing them in sheet moss.

The second I looked at the sheet moss I had found, I ignited, knew I would pot my Paphs in it, it seemed perfect. My few did very well. Gene said, when the division of my karen arrived potted in that which I had already told him, I got he was a shocked, but said, "Well! It was really interesting! Then, added, he immediately switched it to what they used.

My paphs do best in a mix with organic matter added, never allowed to dry out at the roots, but also in perfectly draining pots.

My new passion, unexpected as usual: bulldogs. I don't plan, I live and let things unfold. Not all bulldogs, as I joked, but those which thrill me and make me smile.

But, I am using the eric 'pittsbug' I got last winter on ebay, whose flower you liked---- as a litmus test: are my growing conditions conducive to these doing really well or not?

This, before I go off the deep end. Anything I can grow hanging, I am in danger of going off the deep end with.

(Earlier came from a meeting uptown, it is wicked hot and humid where we live, OMG!)

[NYCorchidman]

I feel like we (everyone discussing the potting mix here lol) are hijacking the thread when we should just admire this member's beautifully grown paphs in bloom.

But, it's been going, so one more.

I think sheet moss should be wonderful mix for paphs or other orchids.
It does not stay wet too long like sphag and much more porous.

By the way, speaking of hanging, there are some pictures of well grown paphiopedilum armeniacum in a hanging basket. The idea I think is to let all those stolons to freely grow in whatever directions they like to shoot out of. soooo not for me, but it was definitely interesting to see.

Bark is considered "organic" potting mix ingredient as opposed to LECA, which is inorganic, but I guess by organic matter you mean like some animal "product"
That would be a bit too stinky for my living space.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I feel like we (everyone discussing the potting mix here lol) are hijacking the thread when we should just admire this member's beautifully grown paphs in bloom.

But, it's been going, so one more.

I think sheet moss should be wonderful mix for paphs or other orchids.
It does not stay wet too long like sphag and much more porous.


By the way, speaking of hanging, there are some pictures of well grown paphiopedilum armeniacum in a hanging basket. The idea I think is to let all those stolons to freely grow in whatever directions they like to shoot out of. soooo not for me, but it was definitely interesting to see.

Bark is considered "organic" potting mix ingredient as opposed to LECA, which is inorganic, but I guess by organic matter you mean like some animal "product"
That would be a bit too stinky for my living space.

Tell me, I have always wondered re NYC, cause NOT is not a given, do you have an outdoors to grow in?

Yes indeed, I should have bought some sheet moss! I just used what I had found, then, switch bzck to what I started with.

By organic, in this case, I mean chunks of peat; the terrestrials like it. I know what you mean re bark being organic, after all it comes from trees.

And, while the guy in NJ is no longer selling them, even tho I invent many things ad hoc, I remain crazy about these square paph pots he invented and sold! Square, deep, with lovely plastic removable grids at the bottom....horizontal .slots on the sides at the bottoms, I usually add more slots. They are really are perfect for the paphs roots! He got what the Paphs needs and the net result were these pots.

I think maybe I might now find a source for more sheet moss! Well, when I can, over time, see, growing more Paphs will work well in here.

[Hiester]

OK, I admit it. I'm O.C.D. about drainage... Anything I grew sitting in water would die... I just know that's my karmic influential sphere.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Hiester

OK, I admit it. I'm O.C.D. about drainage... Anything I grew sitting in water would die... I just know that's my karmic influential sphere.

I relate! But also feel this is justified objectively, in no way capricious, forget neurotic! Plus if OUR feet remained in water, it would ruin our pedis!

[DeaC]

Well Nepenthesis...I did not write the book on Paph or Phrag culture. That said I do sit my phrags in a bit of water and they seem to do fine. I'm always open for new ideas and with the results you've achieved, I might try doing the same with one paph and see what happens! How big is the greenhouse btw? Love your passion for what you do!

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by DeaC

Well Nepenthesis...I did not write the book on Paph or Phrag culture. That said I do sit my phrags in a bit of water and they seem to do fine. I'm always open for new ideas and with the results you've achieved, I might try doing the same with one paph and see what happens! How big is the greenhouse btw? Love your passion for what you do!

I believe the water requirements for Phrags are different from those of Paphs (tho I have never grown Phrags), and the former need more, and so don't mind sitting in some water at all!

But, I think letting them sit in fertilizer solution not so good; I would think the salts would build up. As long as your leaf tips are not browning, my take is you are keeping your Phrags very happy indeed!