My (small) expanded Paph. family
 

As I've read more about orchids and learned of new types, I've really grown fond of orchids with mottled foliage, slipper orchids, minis and fragrant orchids.

My local botanical gardens is having an orchid show right now and I picked up two new Paphiopedilums. I have also received a rescue one.

I thought I'd share some pictures, but I also have a question about my two newest.

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Family shot. They share space with a Colmanara Wild Willie

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This is the first orchid I purchased from the botanical gardens. I saw it on the opening day with a single pink bloom that looked like delenatii or Ho Chi Minh. By the time I came back to get it the flower was done (wilted and brown) and the inflorescence was damaged.

Is there anyway to tell which it is or do I have to wait for a bloom?

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This is a seedling Paph. I got. I don't know much about the parents of this guy, but the names didn't lead me to believe they would have green flowers and I recognized stonei as being one I liked so I went for it.

I also thought the foliage would contrast nicely with the variety I already have. I like Paph foliage just as much as the flower. I'm not a huge fan of the plain leaved ones unless the flowers are stunning.

I will be reading on providing the appropriate care for this guy but can you guys provide any tips?

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As for the orchid on the far right in the family picture, it is Paph. Raisin Pie 'Hysinying') x Sib (Paph. Supershuk 'Eureka' AM/AOS x. Easy to remember one. =P It had a light purple spotted flower with hairs. It looked super sinister and is the plant that got me into slipper orchids. I love the foliage as well. It belonged to a friends mom and she left it outside in full sun.....

EDIT: Found pictures of it when it still was happy. Out of that bowl, only the Oncidium 'Taka' is still alive, and just barely. That one is another project. =P

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Since all her orchids die, she gave the remaining to me which I've been working on. I cut off the damaged leaves but this hasn't changed much. I treat it like my other Paph. Maudie etcetctect that has the offsets, but it doesn't grow very fast at all. It has 4 leaves, 2 per offset. One is a new leaf that is slowly but surely growing out.



Sorry for the long post. Any advice or comments would be awesome.

Great pictures of some lovely looking plants. The mottled leaves are nice to look at, even when the plant isn't blooming! I have a few mottled leaf ones. I am no expert on growing paphs, but have managed to get a few to bloom. I have a Paph. Deperle in bud at the moment. I can't wait as it will be its first time to bloom! Most Paphs take about the same culture as Phals as far as light and temps go. Usually they say the mottled ones need a bit less light than the plain green ones, but I grow mine together with no problem to either type. They don't like old media, so potting every year might be a good idea. And I don't think they should completely dry out between watering. But I am no expert. I would think the oncidium might require a bit more light than the paphs. Happy growing! They all look very nice. Be sure to post as they bloom :)

Thanks for your response. The Oncidium has been there for a few months. I generally rotate my Catts and Oncidiums to a brighter spot around when they should be blooming. I'm actually running out of room on one windowsill as I have a 9" pot containg a mix of Blc., Potinara, and Epic. putting out tons of offsets, some of which are longgg.

I'll definitely post pictures when they bloom. I'm going to be moving to Florida so I can place some of my heat/humidity loving orchids on the shaded balcony of my apartment there. =)

nice orchid family!

silkens correct :)

and paphs are fun and I swear you been copping plants from my stash!!! :biggrin:

you got these plants going in the right direction you can take some back to the orchid killer and teach them what you learned.

I myself dont give people orchids anymore. I cant stand to go back and see em dying so I keep my plants to myself :)