Rest for Paph. hirsutissimum with flower sheaths?

[wuness]

My hirsutissimum is growing in S/H and has six fans with three flower sheaths. I had planned to give it a dry, cool rest starting this month, but I was wondering whether it was necessary for blooming since the sheaths are already present. Is the rest still needed to induce flower buds even though sheaths are present?

wuness

[Fairorchids]

Why would you give a Paph a dry cool rest?

Except for armeniacum and a few other montane decideous forest species, Paphs should NEVER go dry.

Hirsutissimum, and the entire Paphiopedilum sub-group, should all be watered when barely moist, year round.

Only the Brachypetalum sub-group should be allowed to dry out between waterings.

[gngrhill]

someone in another post mentioned that dry winter is recommended for the "bulldog" type Paph. Is this true or not ?

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

someone in another post mentioned that dry winter is recommended for the "bulldog" type Paph. Is this true or not ?

Absolutely NOT.

During the winter we can water less, because plants do not dry out as fast as they do in high light/high temp conditions. That means adjusting the watering, it does not mean letting them go dry. The only exceptions are:

Brachys (= niveum, conculor, bellatulum, etc.) with succulent type leaves, is the only group that should be allowed to just dry out between waterings.

Parvis (= armeniacum & micranthum) require lots of water in the spring/summer/fall, but a high light, cool and fairly dry winter.

[wuness]

Kim: In his book on slippers, Birk says to "drop temperatures to the low 40's during December and withhold water for 30-40 days." Orchidwiz says that "water should be reduced...so that they are kept mostly dry with only occasional mistings given for 1-2 months. A cool, dry rest is necessary to induce flowering." Also the Baker climate data shows the average winter lows to be 39-44. The question should be: "Why not give them a cool, dry rest?"

These are my sources. What are yours?

wuness

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by wuness

Kim: In his book on slippers, Birk says to "drop temperatures to the low 40's during December and withhold water for 30-40 days." Orchidwiz says that "water should be reduced...so that they are kept mostly dry with only occasional mistings given for 1-2 months. A cool, dry rest is necessary to induce flowering." Also the Baker climate data shows the average winter lows to be 39-44. The question should be: "Why not give them a cool, dry rest?"

These are my sources. What are yours?

wuness

Growing up in a retail nursery specializing in Paphs. I have been growing since 1969. Never gave hirsutissimum special considerations, and they grew like weeds.

[wuness]

Kim: I guess that works also. Mine grow like weeds too. As far as blooming, not so much. That's why I thought about trying the cool, dry winter rest.

Going back to my original question, if flower sheaths are in place is my work done for this flowering cycle (irrespective of a rest)? Or is the initiation of the flower buds yet another step that has to be completed.

In Birk and elsewhere, I've noticed that there are quite a few orchids for which a cooler and drier rest (at least briefly) has been recommended. How cool does your paph nursery get in the winter? Thanks

wuness

[Fairorchids]

Flowers are initiated by a cold spell (2-3 weeks of cooler nights will do). Then, it takes 5-8 months for the bud to grow up and bloom ( longest for malipoense).

[gngrhill]

Thanks, Kim, for sharing your experience and knowledge with those of us who do not have your experience.

[NYCorchidman]

By underwatering paphs in sheath, you risk blasting the sheath/buds.
I would water normally.

I think Birk meant to say "drier". Notice it is used relative to super wet season. There are no "dry" for basically any commonly cultivated orchids. Only for cactus. lol

Most often the case is that even during this "dry" season, these plants get enough water in the form of morning dews, heavy mist in the air and so on.

I wish these books stopped using the term "dry rest" without explaining in detail because so many people get the wrong idea about "dry" part.

I hope you finally get to see this plant flower for you.