Paph glandulifernum question

[Marleneann]

Can anyone please tell me about the orchid Paph glanduliferum hort praestans.
Is it difficult to grow?

Marleneann.

[littlefrog]

I have always found this species difficult to grow... Slow, and prone to rot. Curiously, hybrids made with praestans seem to grow like weeds.

You don't commonly see this species offered for sale. In ages past, I used to see P. glanduliferum v. glanduliferum, P. glanduliferum v. praestans, and P. glanduliferum v. wilhelminiae offered more frequently. I'm not sure what the current taxonomy says those are anymore (actually I know what is current, I'm just unsure that it is correct! *grin*)

[Paphman910]

I know Paph wilhelmnae is a very slow grower and doesn't put out alot of roots. They require intermediate conditions and high light as it comes from High elevations. Paph praestans is a lowland species that likes bright conditions and seem to grow well for me. I find that warm conditions makes this particular variety grow well.

Paphman910

[Mahon]

I grow P. glanduliferum without any troubles... well, the only problem that ever occurs with me is their pot out-growing-ness! Since I grow in humus and no one else wants to try this "miracle" stuff... =)... I would suggest a finer medium, possibly even a terrestrial orchid mix... I would suggest putting many rocks in the pot as well, as it is found as a semi-lithophyte, and potting in a larger pot... they will seem quite compact at first, but they will fool you after a year... I tend to also add plenty of charcoal to the media, as it may help the plant, then again, it might not, but it won't hurt... It has only proved benificial to me and my Paphiopedilums...

As for the taxonomical part, I am still confused on them, they are mix-matched every which way... I personally think that P. glanduliferum and P. praestans are seperate species, or perhaps even varietal to one or the other... I have both species, and I am keeping them seperated until I can figure out the current acceptance of either... I do know for a fact that they are not found in the same places as one another... would like to hear how other's grow these species... =)

-Pat

[Gideon]

Originally Posted by Mahon

...Since I grow in humus and no one else wants to try this "miracle" stuff...

Pat tell us about the humus you use, I for one am interested

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by Gideon

Pat tell us about the humus you use, I for one am interested

Gideon,

AHH! Music to my ears, I am glad someone is finally interested in this humus thing! Here is the location of my post upon this matter:

http://www.slippertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=347

I get quite discouraged after talking about the humus idea, as I see no one even trying it, sometimes it is contested through Private Messages... I don't get a kick-back or anything for reffering some stupid humus to anyone, you dig it out from the woods yourself... I just got some crazy idea of using the stuff, and it works better then anything else I have used... I realized the relationship between Sybiotic Fungi and Paphiopedilum was present, though in typical media, in very small amounts... when using humus as a Paph. (and Phrag.) medium, results can be seen in a week or two weeks. The initial sight is usually new root growth to establish the plant more... leaves and new growths soon develop very fast...

For me, the stuff is the greatest miracle I have stumbled upon... it's "dirt cheap", and is more efficient then anything I have ever used for Paphiopedilum... I notice those "experts" and "more-experienced growers" tend to get stuck on one medium or staying with the old times... well, things change, and we learn more things as time and effort goes on; that cannot be denied... but I have come to realize now that I cannot help those who do not want to be helped...

BTW, my 8+ foot tall Vanda roxburghii (V. tessellata) is growing just above humus... the roots like to venture into the humus, but I keep having to tie them into the "knot" of roots... perhaps the humus was benificial to the plant... =) Thanks for your interest, if you need additional help, let me know!

-Pat

[Marleneann]

Pat ...that was very interesting reading. Your ideas on the subject is well thought out. I just might be tempted into trying this method with my next phal.

Marleneann.