Paph lifecycle

[PaphioAdict]

We can’t water frequently most of the yr here in this northerly climate.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by PaphioAdict

We can’t water frequently most of the yr here in this northerly climate.

May I ask why not?

Water is the driving force for growth and watering frequency is much more a function of the properties of the potting medium than the plant.

[dbarron]

Just guessing Ray, but some 24 yrs ago, I moved for 3 years north to Nebraska. The amount of natural light and the longer cold periods surely drove drying potential down. It was much different (and seemed harder) to grow orchids up there than in the South. Of course at the time, I was all phals, which kinda hated the cold.

[Ray]

I agree - especially with phals, but it still helps to keep most plants well watered.

[Roberta]

The discussion points up the fact that one can't just water by the calendar.(Once a week? Twice a week? Every day?) Watering interval is determined by how fast the plants dry out (and how moist the specific type of plant needs to be) That's different for different people - influenced by light, temperature, humidity, medium type and container. Light and temperature vary throughout the year, so the "right answer" may even be different for the same person in the same place in different months. Observe your plants, then decide what they need under YOUR conditions.