I've just bought my first Paph - now how do I look after it?

[RosieC]

I've been wanting a Paph for a while and I was thinking of getting a Maudiae hybrid. But while looking at the NOID phals in our local garden center, this NOID Paph just jumped into my arms

Well actually my husband, knowing I wanted a slipper, pointed out that they had some (they don't usually have anything but Phals) to me (well actually it's next month, but this is an early present).

I just loved this one. Since getting home I have looked on the website of the grower and they say they grow Paphiopedilum American Hybrids, and other sites refer to Paph American Hybrids (and they look very similar). So is American a species and this is a hybrid of it?

Actually the first thing I did when I got home was to give it a drink - it was very dry, then take some then look up what it might be.

Anyway I love it, but it is my first Paph, I'm used to Phals. So do I treat it about the same as them (watering once a week, fertelising weakly weekly with a montly flush through with clean water), or do I need to do something different.

[kavanaru]

that's a cute one… I love that spotted flag...

[Beverly]

It's gorgeous, I would look around at the different posts on this site. From what I understand(please correct me if I'm wrong) They dont like to dry out completely and the green strappy like leaves type, like a little more sun them the darker mottled leaves.
Beverly

[quiltergal]

Rosie, it's lovely! Very nice pick for your first one. I think it might be Paph. All-American. The description in OrchidWiz sounds just like yours. There's no picture though so I can't be sure. It's a complex Paph. composed of 12 different species.

You can grow them similarly to Phals with just a bit more water and a bit brighter light. If you do well with Phals you'll do well with this one too.

[Hedge]

it's beautiful, Rosie and I don't mean to be prosaic, but doesn't your pot holder go perfectly with its colours?

Heather

[greenbean]

That is incredibel! You really made a great choice with this one!

I could use all the tips I can get for my sole paph ('Macabre') too, since it's not growing very fast so the new growths were not mature enough to bloom this year. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread!

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Hedge

it's beautiful, Rosie and I don't mean to be prosaic, but doesn't your pot holder go perfectly with its colours?

Heather

Thanks Heather, I thought the same about the pot holder, but then it was sold with the plant. When I looked on the growers website it looks like they sell them with a range of pots including this one.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Rosie, it's lovely! Very nice pick for your first one. I think it might be Paph. All-American. The description in OrchidWiz sounds just like yours. There's no picture though so I can't be sure. It's a complex Paph. composed of 12 different species.

You can grow them similarly to Phals with just a bit more water and a bit brighter light. If you do well with Phals you'll do well with this one too.

Thanks Terri,

I've found lots of pictures of Paph. American on google, but not Paph. All-American but I guess it's the same thing. All references talk about 'hybrid' so that makes sence that it is a complex hybrid (too complex to name the parentage).

Well assuming that's what it is, it's not a complete NOID anymore .

[RosieC]

Thanks everyone, I'm so pleased with this one

[camille1585]

I went to the garden center yesterday, and then had some paphs, but nearly as nice as yours! If one similar to yours had been there, I would have snapped it up!