Suggestions for a first ever Slipper?

[Kimbubbley]

Hi guys

Im looking for a first ever slipper orchid to try indoors planted in a glass jar.... but there are just so many i dont know where to start!

Im hoping someone with more experience can nudge me in the right direction to get started?

Im looking for cool to intermediate and the lower end of the fc scale as im hoping to grow in the same room as my Phals

Any suggestions would be greatly received, atm i seem to be Googling for a needle in a haystack!

Many thanks!!

[Ms T]

This article has some guidelines and suggestions for species that would be good for a beginner. I'm with you on this one, I've been hankering for a paph myself. Especially since I'm a sucker for mottled leaves and that's fairly difficult to find in phals.

[PaphMadMan]

The best bet for a first slipper on the low end of the fc scale is a Paph Maudiae-type hybrid. There are some related species that tolerate even lower light but they tend to be a bit less vigorous than the hybrids and usually more expensive and harder to find.

If you have a strong preference for species over hybrids look for Paph barbatum. As tolerant of low light as any Paph, pretty easy to grow, and more compact than most.

[Kimbubbley]

Thanks guys for the heads up there's an orchid show in my area (my first ever one) in a couple of weeks time... now I can go ask questions and not sound TOO dim! LOL. I also have a specialist paph/phrag nursery not too far away I can order from but they don't have growing conditions listed with they're plants so it's been long winded trolling thru the ones that I like, then finding out if I can avoid killing it!!

I will take my new found info and let u know how I get on... maybe if I take my glass jar they will pot it for me and I can see first hand how it's all done

[camille1585]

I don't have any suggestions, but I'm sure that if you email the paph nursery they will be able to tell you what they have that meets your criteria. Growers are generally very helpful.

[Kimbubbley]

Thanks guys for the heads up there's an orchid show in my area (my first ever one) in a couple of weeks time... now I can go ask questions and not sound TOO dim! LOL. I also have a specialist paph/phrag nursery not too far away I can order from but they don't have growing conditions listed with they're plants so it's been long winded trolling thru the ones that I like, then finding out if I can avoid killing it!!

I will take my new found info and let u know how I get on... maybe if I take my glass jar they will pot it for me and I can see first hand how it's all done

[RosieC]

I would go for a Maudiae-type hybrid like PaphMadMan suggests.

These seem to grow well in my house and I grow them on the slightly shadier side of my house. They can be quite small little plants with only one or two fans at a time, but I love them.

[Brenda Aarts]

[QUOTE

I will take my new found info and let u know how I get on... maybe if I take my glass jar they will pot it for me a[/QUOTE]

this glass jar of yours is scaring me somewhat. Does it have holes in it? Good luck in your search.

[Bud]

I have managed to learn how to drill holes in glass by using a diamond coated drill and it is a useful way of potting especially on S/H method (some of my vandas are inside very large glass vases with holes with their roots curled neatly inside; ready for winter indoors... unless theres holes in them you cant put an orchid in that glass vase...immersing the orchid roots can kill your plant and root rot smells awful in a room...

[Kimbubbley]

If u look in "members articles" in the left hand menu in OB, and then "general orchid care", there is and article called "Growing orchids in glass vessels" (sorry I don't know how to attach the link oops!)

It's a S/H method I think... Hydroton on the bottom and perlite with a sphag/charcoal planting mix... wicking water from the bottom and evaporation keeping the whole thing moist.

It certainly LOOKS beautiful and easy enough... but the proof of the pudding will be in the tasting I suspect! I will need to keep a good eye on the moisture levels with my trusty skewer and might try dropping the plant in inside a net pot like RJ does with his glass bowels so I don't disturb the plant too much if I need to re-think... but that article is the principle idea behind the glass jar