How to grow and bloom mottled leaf paphs...

[The Orchid Boy]

This is a thread on how to bloom and grow the mottled leaf paphs. Different things work for different people. If you have something to add then add it. Also, I would love to see pictures of your paph blooms and plant.

Light: An unshaded east window works well; a partially shaded west window will also work. To bloom them under fluorescent lights, have the leaves no less than 4 inches from a standard 40W, two tube fixture. If you have a 4 tube fixture they can be a little farther away, around 6-8 inches away.

Temperature: Day temperatures- 80F-85F
Night temperatures- 55F-65F
These orchids can tolerate higher temperatures if more air movement and humidity is provided.

Humidity and air movement: Ideal humidity is 60% to 80% but these orchids can adapt to normal home humidity. Air movement needs to increase with higher temperatures as does humidity.

Watering: These orchid can 'usually' be watered with regular tap water, however, never use 'softened' water. It has salts that are bad for plants. Use distilled, RO, rain, melted snow, or dehumidifier water whenever possible. They should need watered once or twice a week if you use the potting mix mentioned below.

Repotting: All paphiopedilums should be repotted once a year. Repotting them gives them a growing boost. Paphs hate stale medium. My favorite paph medium is this: 7 parts fine orchid bark, 1 part sphagnum moss, and 1 part small volcanic rock. This retains some moisture but allows good drainage. Clay or plastic pots are fine. Don't use glazed ceramic pots. I tried it once and it poisoned and almost killed the orchid.

Fertilizing: During growth fertilize lightly (around 1/4 strength) every watering, flush with plain water every fourth watering.
Before and during blooming fertilize lightly every watering, flush with plain water every fourth watering. It is NOT necessary to use bloom booster.

Calcium supplements: Most mottled leaf paphiopedilums like some calcium supplementation. This can be achieved by putting some lime or crushed oyster shell in or on top of the mix. Usually I use 1/4 a teaspoon per 1 inch of pot. What has also worked for me is take an unrinsed milk jug fill it partially with water and water your plant(s). Some paphs are best without this calcium such as Paphiopedilum delenatii. Research an orchid BEFORE you buy it if possible.

Mottled leaf paphs are small and easy to bloom and are good beginer's orchids. They basically like phalaenopsis conditions with a few variations. I hope this has helped you! Happy growing and blooming!
(If this is useful to everyone, I hope it will get turned into a sticky...)

[JaneEyre]

Awesome tips! Those are very helpful. I bought my first one in bloom last september and now it is in bloom again but I can't take credit as I am new to those. I just let it be and so far it worked. Thanks for the heads up on glazed ceramic pots.

[The Orchid Boy]

The first paph I bought was Paph. delenatii from an online vendor in November. Once I got it I researched paphs for hours and I got an orchid book. My paph. delenatii is now in spike! I was surprised at how quickly it adapted and bloomed!

[Discus]

If you like Paphs, Koopowitz's book Tropical Slipper Orchids is amazing.

[The Orchid Boy]

My top pick for a beginer's paphiopedilum is Paph. delenatii.
If you want a good beginer's multifloral paphiopedilum try Paph. lowii. Remember that multifloral paphs get large and are slow to grow and you have to be patient.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by Discus

If you like Paphs, Koopowitz's book Tropical Slipper Orchids is amazing.

Thanks for book recommendation. I just ordered the book. Even though I like some of the general books like 'Understanding Orchids', I prefer books that focus on one genus. I'm looking forward to reading this book because I just started growing paphs although I've grown other orchids for many years.

[Vanda lover]

I had my paph in a ceramic pot and it grew and bloomed fine, but when I repotted it I put it in lava rock in s/h. It is really happy with this and has 2 new growths.

[The Orchid Boy]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

I had my paph in a ceramic pot and it grew and bloomed fine, but when I repotted it I put it in lava rock in s/h. It is really happy with this and has 2 new growths.

Interesting. I tried phals and paphs in cermamic pots and the orchid roots would get poisoned and rot. It only happende when the roots touched the glaze. Some glazes are safe for orchids and some are toxic. It depends what the glaze is made with. I just avoid all ceramic pots now. Better to be safe than sorry. Besides, galzed pots can be expensive.

[camille1585]

Nice advice, I definitely think you should put this up in the article section of OB as well. Add some nice pics and you'll have a great article!

[The Orchid Boy]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Nice advice, I definitely think you should put this up in the article section of OB as well. Add some nice pics and you'll have a great article!

Every time I try to post a care sheet or article a message comes up on the top of the page that says: "Validation error. Contact site administrater if problem persists." I was logged in and had every thing filled in and it still said it...