Need advice on Paphs please!

[Priya_H]

I know nothing about Paph care, so would like to know everything I need to know before I decide to get any. No point getting a plant, then making both of us suffer because I am unable to give it the kind of care it needs, right?

Now I should admit that I have killed a few NOID Phals in the past...so I am no superstar gardener when it comes to orchids. I have a few at this moment and they seem to be doing fine (except 2, but it's just that.. they're not reblooming. Other than that they're good. I'm keeping them in cooler temp now, so hopefully things will change in a few weeks)....

So first question: are Paphs appropriate for someone like me? Here's the habitat I have to offer: a very bright and airy West-facing apartment, with lots of direct and indirect natural light. Humidity wouldn't be an issue because I have other tropical plants (other than my Phals) and they're doing good with regular misting/humidity trays.

What kind of potting medium do Paphs do best in (my Phals are either in coconut husks, or in a fir bark, charcoal and a little bit of perlite mix)?

Light, moisture, water and fertilizer requirements? (I feed the Phals water soluble Plant Prod 20-20-20. Is this a good fertilizer? I water them as each plant needs it. No strict schedule. They're potted in clear plastic pots).

Please help me out with everything you know regarding Paphs! These are some striking plants and I found a grower selling species plants for very reasonable prices (for as much as supermarket Phals)...but need care info first!

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[WhiteRabbit]

I can't say for all Paphs, but generally they should do well with similar to Phal care. Some may be trickier than others, tho.

Strap leaf Paphs want more light than mottled leaved ones.

I have my few Paphs potted in fine fir bark mix ; watered when approaching dry.

The general wisdom is that they should be repotted annually, unless grown in inorganic media.

I'm sure others with more Paph experience will be able to further assist you

[Fairorchids]

There are some variations:

Most Paphs should have light like Phals (= 60-65% shade in a greenhouse), or indirect light in East or West facing window. Simultaneous multi-florals need light more like Cattleya (= 40-45% shade).

Brachypetalums (with succulent like leaves) should be allowed to dry out between waterings. All other Paphs should be watered while still moist.

You can grow Paphs in either granular material (bark/charcoal/perlite mix), or spaghnum/bark mix. With the latter, you need to water every 4-5 days in summer, and every 7-10 days in winter. With bark mix they need watering more frequently.

Strapleaved Paphs (primary species = insigne/villosum/spicerianum, and their hybrids) come from the highlands, so they are slightly cooler growing than the rest. The rest would prefer intermediate to intermediate+ temperatures. Exception: armeniacum & micranthum are cool growing.

The 20-20-20 fertilizer is fine. Use 1/3 of recommended dose, every 2 weeks in spring/summer/fall, and once a month in Nov/Dec/Jan.

For all Paphs, they need a 10-12 deg F temperature drop in the fall to initiate buds.

Good luck.

[NYCorchidman]

Go through some pictures and see what kind of paphs you like to have. Then find out if you can grow them.

As mentioned above, most paphs take basically the same care and they are not difficult to deal with at all.

[lotis146]

From the position of a lesser experienced Paph grower I'll share that the biggest thing I have to keep up with with Paphs versus say my Phals is that they require more water, don't like to dry out as others have said. Originally I was under the impression that they prefer a lot more shade but in a short amount of time I've discovered they can handle at least that of Phals and some even mottled leaved like brighter light.

Also, since you're asking about everything, when you repot a Paph you immediately discover that their roots don't look greenish white/green like Phals. So don't worry that your whole root system is rotted, rather look for them to be firm. And I learned here that you don't want their roots to be exposed as say you might let those of Phals. My understanding is that the base of their fans (growths) should be covered about a quarter inch with medium.

Good luck, and yes of course share what you get!

[Priya_H]

Thank you SO MUCH for the very helpful information everyone!