Practice makes PAPH-ect! My first ever paphiopedilum. Please help me not to kill it.

[astrid]

Hey everyone!

EDIT: I am new to paphs, not new to orchids!! I've got phal and oncidium-type care pretty well down, but I know paphs are quite different.

I got this cute little green paph for $7.99 at Trader Joe's today. I don't particularly love the look of most paphs, but there are a few that I am really interested in growing (Paph magic lantern) but I'd rather not buy and slowly murder. This little guy is going to bolster my collection and serve as a low financial risk trial run.
EDIT: Okay, these have very different requirements, got it. That said, I want to ease into the world of paphs slowly

So guys, what should I do with it?

Here is my plan- please tell me how to improve upon it or change it:
1- Current Health
It is currently in sphagnum with brownish fuzzy paph roots. I think they look healthy enough to leave this in its pot until after the flower fades.

2- Repotting
After the flower fades, I plan to repot it in a pot with only drainage holes (no side ventilation like for my oncidiums and phalaenopsis types). I want to repot it in a mix of medium grade bark chips, perlite, and probably a 50:50 mix of that and sphagnum as I understand paphs are semi-terrestrial.

3- Watering
I plan to water it from the bottom up like all my other orchids by soaking it in a slightly bigger pot than its in now. I live in a temperate climate with cool (not super cold) winters and good humidity all winter, so I want to water this plant once per week? I'll try an err until I find a way to keep this consistently moist.

4- Extra moisture
I understand these plants like their feet to stay wet? I think I will put it in a little dish that has a few mm of water in the bottom at all times. I understand these guys like that much water.
EDIT: I will definitely not do this! Thanks for clarifying, guys

Other Thoughts?
Do you guys have other advice or tips for me? I didn't find any stickys in the cympredium alliance forums to give me care outlines, so I hope all my questions aren't too redundant!
Thanks everyone!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. I don't recommend growing Paphs in Sphagnum moss. Most Paphs don't grow that wet. You run the risk of rotting out the roots.

2. One thing you should know about most Paphs is that many of them do not necessarily grow a ton of roots like Oncs, Phals, or Catts do. Some of them only grow no more than 5 roots per fan/growth, sometimes even less than this. What's worse is that many of them tend to grow roots rather slowly.

There are a few Paphs that do grow roots rather expediently and do grow quite a number of roots, but you gotta find out which ones they are if you're looking for these.

3. I usually don't recommend Paphs to newbies because many of them will test your skills in patience. Yes, I'm implying that certain Paphs can be slow growing.

At the same token, not all Paphs grow slow. If you want to know which ones are the more expedient growers, ask around, someone might be able to tell you which ones grow faster than others.

In case anyone's wondering what I just said, no, I have not contradicted myself. Please read carefully. I made an attempt to not use words that overgeneralizes how things are.

4. Not all Paphs grow as epiphytes. And not all of them grow as semi-terrestrials either. Some are lithophytic in nature. If you're a newbie, I recommend brushing up on your researching skills to find out which is which.

Complex hybrids are a whole different story, they tend to be somewhat homogenous in their cultural requirements, but they can still have their differences amongst one another according to section.

Primary hybrids tend to be a lot closer in cultural requirements and temperament to their species counterparts.

5. They can be rather expensive purchases. Enough said.

6. When finding a potting mix, make sure the mix drains extremely well. Particularly if you're dealing with lithophytes, (that Paph Magic Lantern you're eyeing, is a hybrid consisting of Paphs with a lithophytic heritage - specifically limestone).

7. Keep calcium supplementation in mind, some of these guys naturally grow on limestone cliffs or hillsides.

8. Bright shade to moderately bright indirect light is good for many of them.

9. If you're thinking about Paph Magic Lantern, they are cool to intermediate growing, because they have the species Paph micranthum in their lineage; these originate from the limestone hills and cliffs of China, where it can get rather cool during certain parts of the year.

Your little green Paph, is most likely an intermediate to warm grower.

10. I don't mean to be rude by saying this or condescending, but imo, it is kinda comparing apples to oranges. Try finding a Paph that is closer to growing habit and temperament to Paph Magic Lantern than the one you have.

The Paph you have may be a good introductory hybrid, but it is certainly not similar enough in cultural requirements and temperament to Paph Magic Lantern imo.

If you like Paph Magic Lantern, have you considered trying out Paph Ho Chi Minh? It is within the same section of Paph as Paph Magic Lantern, but it is a warmer grower than Paph Magic Lantern would be. They are somewhat closer in cultural requirements and temperament to each other.

11. They don't like their feet wet. They hate it. Those roots will rot if they stay wet all the time. They like it evenly moist.

12. While they don't like their feet wet, I would recommend watering more than once a week. Try 3 times a week. Or if it is very dry where you are, maybe even 4 to 5 times a week. Pay attention to how fast the potting media dries out.

13. There are no general care guidelines for all Paphs, because they are extremely varied in the way they grow. Like I said, some are epiphytic, some are lithophytic, some are semi-terrestrial, not all of them are semi-terrestrial, that is an overgeneralization.

14. Paph Magic Lantern is a hybrid of Paphs belonging to the section Parvisepalum. Species within the section Parvisepalum include:


Paph armeniacum
Paph delenatii (This species has been reported to grow on granite outcrops - not limestone.)
Paph emersonii
Paph hangianum
Paph jackii (Some people might consider this a variant of Paph malipoense rather than a separate distinct species.)
Paph malipoense
Paph micranthum
Paph vietnamense



I'm not trying to be a neg-head, don't get what I'm saying wrong. I grow a few Paphs myself, and I do like the ones I have. In fact, I happen to adore Paphs in sections Parvisepalum and Brachypetalum. I'm just stating facts you may not have heard of before. In other words, I'm trying to make you aware…

Hope this will ease you into the world of Paphs a little. I also hope I didn't upset you or ruffle any feathers, I certainly did not intend it.

[BriDroid]

Nice find. I really like the green flower!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Please re-read my original post, I edited it quite a bit.

[801229001]

first of all, hybrids such as magic lantern (in the parvisepalum group) have different cultural requirements than maudiae type paphs. magic lantern has micranthum in it, which needs a winter rest (cool, but not dry). so i agree with the advice above to try ho chi minh or maybe delenatii so you as they are more forgiving of cultural mistakes.
your paph will take intermediate temperatures and will probably do fine in an average house environment or anywhere phals grow well.

please do not sit ANY paphs in a tray of water! they will NOT appreciate that and it could rot the roots, but also NEVER let them completly dry out. A few species dont mind drying out but chances are, yours will not want to dry out. If you can give air ventilation, do so. it will help the roots breath.
Also, I want to point out that most paphs only grow 2-6 roots a year! they are quite slow growers compared to most other orchids and you want to damage the roots as little as possible. If you can keep all the roots healthy than chances are, you might be able to fill the pot with healthy roots, which will speed up the growing!

Good luck with your paph!!

[No-Pro-mwa]

I have this same one. Years ago I did get it to re-bloom but then I let it get to dry. Have recently re-potted and so I have some hope but it is moving at a snails pace.

[orchids44]

I am definitely not an expert on Paphs but these have become my newest addition...6 of them for about the past 18 months. My total count of chids lately is just under 100. In desparate need of Orchids Anonymous
The names I can remember without going downstairs to look at the tags:
Fred's Lady
Avalon Druid (yellow green flowers and still flowering since mid-September)
Mamie Wilson (gorgeous purple), she has put out 3 new growths since June.
Spicerianum (St. Alban type) - just purchased at AOS International Symposium in Orlando, Fl. on 11/1. In sphagnum.
Michael Koopowitz - looking healthy, nothing exciting...yet.
Mine are all doing well sitting on the living room coffee table. Lighting is similar to phals. 2 of them have continued to rebloom. Fred's lady seems to like more humidity than the rest.
What I have noticed that works for mine....
room humidity 45 - 60% (humidifier in NC winter months for indoor orchids is a must). IMO, this is the key.
I water 2 x week, sometimes 3 for Fred's lady.
All but the St. Alban type are in bark, perlite and charcoal. This is the original bark which they were purchased in.
I fertilize with MagCal about once every 6-8 wks, about 1/3 strength.
Other fertilization is MSU, now 1/4 strength about 2-3 x month.
Like I said, I am not an expert or scientist but have listened to what they need. EX: drooping leaves - increasing the humidity and/or watering frequency with the outcome of perkier leaves.
Slight yellowing of leaves, increased MagCal very slightly with good results.
I love your Paph!!!! Hope this helps and enjoy!!!!

[WhiteRabbit]

I'd recommend fine fir bark mix, and use a skewer to determine when to water. Personally, I don't like to add sphag to orchid potting mixes - breaks down faster than the other media. If I use sphag, it's straight sphag, or with some perlite to keep the sphag from compacting. Paphs can be intolerant of broken down media.

As others have said, they do not want "wet feet" (maybe you're thinking of Phrags?)

Water before media dries out completely, but don't keep the media overly wet.

[MrHappyRotter]

I have 2 cents, and since you asked .....

Grow your new plant warm. Keep it well watered, but as noted, do not keep in sitting in water like you would for many phrags. Just make sure the mix doesn't completely dry out with any regularity. Light should be on the shady side, most of your maudiae types will be happy in the same lighting conditions as phals. In fact, for the most part, you should be able to grow your paph in the same conditions as the average phal. Hold off on repotting until your plant has finished blooming, has produced a pup, and if possible, is also starting new roots. The mix will come with experience -- it's perfectly fine to use sphag in the mix, but don't over do it. You'll need to adjust it to your conditions. If it's airy, warm, and/or lacking in humidity, you can add a little more sphag. If it's cool, or really shady, then you might want to limit your use of moss in general. That being said, some people do have lots of success growing in pure sphag. You just have to have other environmental conditions in balance.

Of course, everybody's conditions are a little different, some of us have very different conditions, and therefore, it's hard to give an exact prescription for growing success. Additionally, unless you're discussing divisions of known clones, every paph is different, even siblings of the same cross. For instance, I grow indoors in a warmer environment and under lights. For me, the hardest part is making sure my non-multifloral paphs get enough shade. Of course, I pretty much treat all my plants the same. I adapt to their different needs by adjusting how close (or far) they are from the lights and by adjusting my potting mix appropriately. Other than that, I have phrags that sit in water most of the time, where as everything else is allowed to dry out between watering.

I'm not sure I agree 100% with other people's assertions about Paph. Magic Lantern's care and requirements. It's true, the care is a bit different from your current paph, so it's good you're starting with a guinea pig so to speak. Magic Lantern will be slower growing, will bloom less often, and will likely be a little more challenging. They will however grow and bloom just fine in warm to warm-intermediate conditions. They'll also do fine if kept moist year round, it's unlikely that you'll find a clone which needs a cool, dry winter rest. Lots of us here in the South grow and bloom them just fine without that. They can handle, perhaps even prefer, a little more light than your maudiae will need, but honestly, I grow my maudiaes and parvies side by side, in the same light levels, same temps, same potting mix, and same general care routine.

And to reiterate, that's just my experience (first hand and otherwise) in my area, so it's not intended be gospel.

[NYCorchidman]

What you have is a very common and popluar paphiopedilum hybrid.
It is in general very easy to maintain and rebloom, so worry no more!
It will flower again within (give or take) the next one year, then from that point on, it will bloom more often. At least that is the general growth and flowering habit and pattern for maudiae type paphs.

I have lots of different paphiopedilums, but mostly they consist of maudiae type hybrids like yours and parvis, to which Magic Lantern belongs, and which I have many of.

I do not understand why people say maudiae and parvis are so different, but let me tell you they are not so different at all and actually I grow all my paphs the same way.

I would say a few species in the parvi group can be rather challenging namely emersonii (slow growing for the most part and many people seem to like to kill it lol), vietnamense (many people have hard time to successfully cultivate these).
Some report armeniacum and micranthum difficult, but they are not considered difficult. They just need cool winter to do well for the long term.

Now, Magic Lantern being a primary hybrid, it follows either parent or fall somewhere in the middle.
Individual plants may behave differently and you just have to find out, but Magic Lantern and Armeni White are among the easiest paph hybrids to maintain. These will cost a little more than others, but not so much so. So if you fancy Magic Lantern, get one or a few.

Now, if you are successful with phalaenopsis, then you will do just fine with paphiopedilums.

Light is very important. Paphs are by no mean shade plant or low light plant. They will stretch up when given not enough light, more prone to diseases, and won't flower on time.

Happy growing!